Lockdown Party Allegations Facing UK Prime Minister Johnson | world news

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LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received an update on the internal investigation into alleged parties at his Downing Street residence who broke coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the Cabinet Office said in a statement on Monday. communicated.

Media reported that at least 15 gatherings took place at Johnson’s residence or other government departments between May 2020 and April 2021, when COVID-19 rules limited who could meet socially.

Sue Gray, a senior official leading the investigation, sent an update to her report to Johnson on Monday. The government should release what it receives from Gray, which, following a related police investigation, is not the full account Johnson would otherwise have received.

The timing of publication now belongs to Johnson’s office.

Below is a timeline of party reports and what Johnson said about them:

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30 November – First Report on the Christmas of Lockdown Party

The Mirror newspaper reports that Christmas parties were held at government offices, including Johnson’s in Downing Street, in December 2020 when such gatherings were banned.

Later media reports include a photo of Johnson hosting an online Christmas quiz for his staff, seated next to a tinsel-draped official.

Asked by the leader of the opposition Labor Party about reports of a Christmas party in December 2020, Johnson told parliament: ‘All guidelines were followed completely in No 10.’

December 7 – Video of staff joking about the party

ITV News publishes a leaked video showing Johnson’s staff laughing and joking during a mock press conference on how to explain a rally in Downing Street.

In the video, Allegra Stratton, then Johnson’s publicist, says, “That fictional party was a business meeting, and it wasn’t socially distant.”

December 8 – Johnson apologizes, assistant resigns

Johnson told parliament: “I unreservedly apologize for the offense that (the Stratton clip) has caused across the country, and I apologize for the impression it gives.

“I have been assured many times since these allegations emerged that there was no party and no COVID rules were broken…if those rules were broken there would be action disciplinary measures for all involved.”

December 9 – Inquiry details released

The government said senior British civil servant Simon Case would investigate three alleged gatherings. After additional media reports, it is expanded to cover other rallies.

December 17 – Lead Investigator resigns

Case resigns after reporting that an event took place in his own office. The government says the investigation will be concluded by Gray.

December 19 – Publication of the photo of the garden party

The Guardian newspaper publishes a photograph of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street garden which it says was taken during the May 15, 2020 lockdown.

December 20 – Johnson says the garden party was work

“It was people at work talking about work,” Johnson said of the Guardian photo.

January 10 – Johnson’s Assistant Party Invitation Released

ITV publishes an email sent by Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, to more than 100 Downing Street workers on May 20, 2020, inviting them “after what has been an incredibly busy time… (to) a few drinks socially away in garden No10 this evening… and bring your own alcohol!”

ITV said around 40 staff had gathered, including Johnson and his partner Carrie, although at the time social mixing between households was limited to two people outside.

Jan 12 – PM says he attended lockdown rally

Johnson tells Parliament he attended a rally on May 20, 2020 in the Downing Street garden and apologizes.

“When I went to this garden (…) to thank groups of employees before returning to my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I implicitly believed that it was an event professional,” he said. His publicist says he hasn’t seen Reynolds’ email.

The Times newspaper quotes conservative lawmakers as saying Johnson later told them he didn’t believe he personally did anything wrong and said “we’re taking a beating for something we don’t deserve.”

January 13 – Police refuse to investigate the gatherings

British police have said they will not investigate the Downing Street rallies unless Gray’s inquiry finds evidence of potential criminal offences.

January 14 – PM apologizes at Buckingham Palace

Johnson’s office apologizes to Queen Elizabeth after it emerged staff partied late at night in Downing Street on the eve of her husband Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021, when the mixing inside was prohibited. Johnson was at his country residence that day, his spokesperson said.

One of those parties was a going away event for James Slack, a former communications director, who apologizes and says the rally “shouldn’t have happened when it happened”.

Jan. 17 – Former aide says Johnson knew about May 2020 party

Dominic Cummings, a former senior adviser to Johnson, says he is prepared to “swear under oath” that the Prime Minister knew about the May 20, 2020 party.

Cummings says he and at least one other adviser told Reynolds the drinks shouldn’t continue and that warning was emailed. According to Cummings, Reynolds said he would check with Johnson if he was happy the drinks were going on, and he’s sure Reynolds did.

January 24 – Johnson 2020 Anniversary Meeting Report

ITV News says up to 30 people attended a June 19, 2020 birthday event for Johnson at 10 Downing Street at which he was presented with a cake while his wife led the staff in a chorus of “Happy Birthday “. Johnson’s office confirms that the staff met briefly after a meeting, but disputes that it was a party.

January 25 – Police say they are now investigating

London’s Metropolitan Police said it had begun investigating “a number of events” in Downing Street and other government departments after receiving information from Gray’s inquiry.

The Cabinet Office says Gray’s investigation will continue.

(Compiled by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Catherine Evans, Gareth Jones and Toby Chopra)

Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.

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