Boris Johnson is dealing with intense scrutiny over additional allegations of rule-busting gatherings in No 10 as the remainder of the nation was topic to strict lockdown measures to include the unfold of coronavirus.
Within the newest revelation, a leaked e mail confirmed over 100 No 10 workers had been invited to “deliver your individual booze” occasion within the Downing Road backyard on 20 Could 2020, together with the prime minister and his spouse, Carrie.
Right here The Unbiased appears in any respect the allegations of gatherings throughout authorities and on the Conservative headquarters all through 2020.
15 Could
A joint investigation by The Unbiased and The Guardian revealed a wine and pizza gathering was held within the No 10 rose backyard on 15 Could 2020 — regardless of individuals from completely different households being restricted to one-on-one conferences with members of the family and mates outside.
A picture later revealed by The Guardian confirmed wine and cheese being consumed by the prime minister, his spouse, Carrie, advisers together with Dominic Cummings and Matt Hancock, the previous well being secretary. Mr Johnson has beforehand insisted “these individuals had been at work, speaking about work”.
20 Could
In a weblog simply final week, Mr Cummings, the prime minister’s former chief adviser, dismissed the 15 Could occasion confirmed an after-work celebration, insisting it was widespread apply on the time for conferences to be held within the backyard as a result of threat of Covid. Nonetheless, he claimed {that a} “socially distanced drinks” occasion did happen on 20 Could 2020, with a “senior No 10 official” inviting individuals.
Final evening, the row exploded as a leaked e mail despatched from the prime minister’s non-public secretary confirmed over 100 No 10 workers had been invited to the occasion, informed to “deliver your individual booze” and “take advantage of the beautiful climate”.
Boris Johnson has refused to say whether or not he attended, however a supply informed The Unbiased he had “frolicked” with workers for at the least an hour as they knocked again drinks.
The occasion can be investigated by Sue Grey, the senior civil servant tasked with probing rule breaking allegations, and on Monday night the Metropolitan Police mentioned they had been “involved” with the Cupboard Workplace over alleged breaches of the Well being Safety Laws in No 10 on 20 Could.
13 November
One other allegation made by Mr Cummings was of a “flat celebration” in Mr Johnson official residence with Carrie Johnson on 13 November 2020 — the identical day the Vote Go away chief left Downing Road with rapid impact and simply eight days after England’s second nationwide lockdown was imposed. Final week, he claimed to have been informed that workers within the press workplace “may hear the music enjoying loudly”.
Requested at prime minister’s questions final month whether or not there was a No 10 celebration on 13 November, Mr Johnson mentioned “no”, however added: “I’m positive that no matter occurred the steerage was adopted always”.
27 November
A leaving occasion was reported to have been held on 27 November for adviser Cleo Watson, with the prime minister personally delivering a speech whereas alcohol was consumed. Mr Cummings, a detailed ally of Ms Watson, has insisted there was no celebration on this date, however Ms Grey’s investigation into rule-breaking allegations is inspecting this occasion.
10 December
It has been confirmed that Ms Grey’s inquiry will embrace a social occasion on the London workplaces of the Division for Schooling (DfE) on 10 December 2020, instigated by the then-education secretary Gavin Williamson to thank his workers.
On the time of the gathering, individuals within the capital had been topic to Tier 2 restrictions, which banned mixing between households indoors whereas individuals had been allowed to fulfill in teams of six outside.
The division has admitted a “gathering of colleagues” happened on 10 December, with “drink advert snacks introduced by these attending”, including: “Whereas this was work-related, wanting again we settle for it will have been higher not have gathered on this manner at that exact time”.
14 December
4 days later, on 10 December, with Londoners nonetheless topic to Tier 2 restrictions, a celebration happened on the Conservative Social gathering headquarters in Westminster. A spokesperson for the celebration has beforehand mentioned the occasion was “unauthorised” and “formal disciplinary motion” was taken towards 4 CCHQ workers seconded to the then London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey’s marketing campaign.
The Mirror newspaper later revealed a picture of the gathering — resulting in the resignation of Mr Bailey from an official function on the London Meeting as chair of the police and crime committee. Given the occasion was held within the workplaces of a political celebration, it doesn’t fall underneath the remit of Ms Grey’s probe, however the Metropolitan Police mentioned it will contact two individuals who attended.
15 December
The next day, on 15 December 2020, No 10 workers had been concerned in a festive quiz, with reviews suggesting invitations had been despatched out prematurely. A picture later revealed by the Sunday Mirror confirmed the prime minister flanked by colleagues, with one draped in tinsel and one other sporting a Santa hat.
Downing Road mentioned the prime minister had “briefly” attended the quiz — after the photographic proof emerged — however insisted it was a digital occasion and claimed he broke no guidelines.
16 December
The Mirror reported senior civil servants had been “boozing and dancing” on the occasion, allegedly deliberate by workers from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ workplace.
A DfT spokesman mentioned: “Fewer than a dozen workers who had been working within the workplace had a low-key, socially distanced gathering within the massive open-plan workplace after work on December 16, the place food and drinks was consumed. We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgment.”
18 December
Allegations of a Christmas celebration held in No 10 on 18 December 2020 had been the main target of a lot anger on the finish of the final 12 months when the reviews first emerged within the Day by day Mirror newspaper. The occasion occurred whereas London was in strict Tier 3 measures, and only a day earlier than Boris Johnson imposed an efficient lockdown within the capital and huge swathes of the nation.
After initially stonewalling questions of the get-together, Mr Johnson was pressured to deal with the difficulty within the Commons after the explosive leak of a video displaying No 10 workers holding a mock press convention and making jokes a few Christmas celebration. It led to the resignation of presidency aide Allegra Stratton and the prime minister saying a Whitehall investigation led by Sue Grey, claiming he was “shocked” however the video.
“I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has induced up and down the nation, and apologise for the impression that it provides,” Mr Johnson informed MPs.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
