Westminster parties at the center of anti-containment allegations

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A drip of reports has made a number of claims about Covid-breaking parties held in Westminster last year.

Here is a list of what has been alleged.

– May 15, 2020: Downing Street garden party

Boris Johnson spent about 15 minutes with staff in the Downing Street Garden, telling an aide they deserved a drink for ‘pushing back’ the coronavirus, the Guardian and the Independent reported.

Sources said around 20 staff members drank wine and spirits and ate pizza following a press conference in which then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock had told the British public to stay home “as much as possible”.

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A No 10 spokesperson said: “On May 15, 2020, the Prime Minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the Secretary of Health and Care and his team. in the garden following a press conference.

“The Prime Minister came to his home shortly after 7 p.m.

“A small number of employees required for work remained in Downing Street Garden for part of the afternoon and evening.”

– November 13: A departure party for the main assistant

According to reports at the time, Mr Johnson gave a keynote address for Lee Cain, his outgoing communications director and close ally to former Downing Street chief adviser Dominic Cummings.

England was in lockdown for a month when meeting people from other households indoors was prohibited except for business purposes.

– November 13: apartment evening at Johnsons

There are allegations that the then Prime Minister’s fiancee threw parties at their apartment, in what also would have been a violation of Covid guidelines, with one such event taking place on November 13 – the night Mr. Cummings left No.10.

Dominic Cummings (Image: BBC)

Mr Cummings, who has become a vocal critic of Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson since leaving No 10, has called for Cabinet Secretary Simon Case’s investigation of possible rule violations to include the so-called “flat party”.

A spokesperson for Ms Johnson called the claim “utterly absurd”.

– November 27: A second staff leaves to do

The Mirror, in the newspaper’s original report telling the story, said that although the Prime Minister did not attend the alleged No.10 party in December, he gave a farewell speech to a late aide. November, while England’s lockdown was still in place.

Other reports said the departure was for Cleo Watson, a senior Downing Street aide and Mr Cummings’ ally.

The event is part of Mr Case’s investigation which was ordered by the Prime Minister.

– December 10: Feast of the Ministry of Education

According to The Mirror, former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson threw a party and gave a short speech at an event at his department’s headquarters in Whitehall, which took place while London was at level 2, which prohibited any social mixing between households.

The DfE confirmed that the social event had occurred but acknowledged that “it would have been better not to meet in this way at this precise moment”.

This event is also covered by Mr. Case’s investigation.

– December 14: Evening with Tory London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey and his staff

Shaun Bailey apologized “wholeheartedly” for attending the rally at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) organized by staff from his campaign team.

“It was a serious error in judgment at a time when Londoners were making immense sacrifices to protect us all and I regret it with all my heart,” he tweeted.

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He stepped down as chairman of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee after the Daily Mirror published a photo showing him at the rally.

Metropolitan Police said officers would contact two people who attended “in connection with alleged violations of health protection regulations (coronavirus, restrictions)”.

– December 15: Downing Street quiz

The prime minister appeared on quiz candidates’ screens, but insisted he hadn’t broken any rules.

An image released by the Sunday Mirror shows the Prime Minister flanked by colleagues, one draped in garlands and the other wearing a Santa hat, at No 10.

Downing Street admitted Mr Johnson “briefly” attended the quiz after the photographic evidence appeared, but insisted it was a virtual event.

However, the newspaper cited a source who said many staff were crammed in front of computers in their Downing Street offices, asking questions and drinking alcohol during the quiz.

The quiz will be reviewed as part of Mr. Case’s investigation.

– December 16: Festival of the Ministry of Transport

The Daily Mirror reported that senior officials were “drinking and dancing” at the event, which was allegedly planned by staff in the office of Secretary of Transportation Grant Shapps.

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A DfT spokesperson said: “The secretary of state was not involved in any rallies at the department.

“Less than a dozen employees who worked in the office gathered on December 16 in the large open-plan office after work, where food and drinks were consumed.

“We recognize that this was inappropriate and apologize for the error in judgment.”

– December 18: Christmas party in Downing Street

The claim at the center of the rule violation allegations is that a party was held for Downing Street staff on December 18.

Officials and advisers are said to have given speeches, enjoyed a cheese platter, drank together and exchanged Secret Santa gifts, although the Prime Minister was said to not have attended.

Mr Johnson’s spokeswoman Allegra Stratton has resigned after being caught on camera joking with colleagues during a mock press conference.

The event is at the heart of Mr. Case’s investigation.

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