Archbishop of Canterbury appeals to honesty in public life

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With the investigation now underway by the Cabinet Secretary, the Telegraph has been told that a number of employees, including 10 press officials and their assistants, have already been called in for interviews.

However, although government sources indicated on Monday that the investigation will be concluded by the end of this week, it is now believed that Simon Case will not submit a report until next week at the earliest.

New allegations about the Downing Street party during the first shutdown

On Thursday, Downing Street denied new allegations that Johnson attended a “party” with staff during the first shutdown on May 15 last year, when people were only allowed to meet someone else from outside their home in a public outdoor setting.

Reports by the Guardian and The Independent claimed that about 20 employees gathered at offices inside No. 10 and outside the park, where they drank alcohol and ate pizza.

However, the No 10 spokesperson insisted that the park had been regularly used by staff for meetings, adding: “On May 15, 2020, the Prime Minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then Minister of Health and Welfare and the Minister of Team in The park after a press conference.

The Prime Minister went to his residence shortly after seven in the evening. The few staff required to work in Downing Street Park remained for part of the afternoon and evening.”

The Daily Mirror also reported that civil servants at the Ministry of Transport threw a Christmas party on December 16 last year – the day London sank into Level 3 restrictions.

A spokesman for Grant Shapps, the transportation secretary, insisted he had “absolutely no idea” the event had occurred.

The spokesperson added: “He was not notified or invited and would have banned such a gathering immediately, had he known that it was being prepared.

“Since he was unable to visit his seriously ill father in hospital due to Covid restrictions, he was well aware of the sacrifices made by the public during the lockdown.”

While Scotland Yard has not confirmed the identities of those it wishes to speak to in relation to the alleged CCHQ party, it is understood that officers tend to contact event organizers when investigating alleged lockdown violations.

In a statement, the force said: “In line with Met policy, officers typically do not investigate violations of coronavirus regulations when they are reported long after they have occurred.

“However, if significant evidence is available indicating a violation of regulations, officers may review and consider it.”

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