How many lockdown parties did Boris Johnson and staff attend? Here’s a guide.

4 yıl önce

LONDON — For Britain’s embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson, “Partygate” is the political scandal he just can’t shake.

An investigation into gatherings at Johnson’s Downing Street office and residence, as well as at other government buildings, described “a serious failure” of leadership given the coronavirus restrictions in place. A nine-page summary of the findings by senior civil servant Sue Gray concluded that some of the events “should not have been allowed to take place.”

London’s Metropolitan Police are now investigating 12 of the 16 gatherings in the report for possible criminal violations, while Johnson faces heated criticism, including from within his own Conservative Party. The prime minister has been directly linked to at least six of the parties, according to British media.

Johnson said in Parliament on Tuesday that he would “of course comply with the law, but I’ve got to wait for the process to be concluded.” Here’s a list of the gatherings in question.

Post-Christmas lockdown ‘prosecco-fuelled’ party

Gray’s report — which because of the ongoing police investigation included few details — revealed that an event took place inside 10 Downing Street on Jan. 14, 2021, “on the departure of two No 10 private secretaries.”

In a subsequent report, The Guardian dubbed it “a prosecco-fuelled leaving do" and said Johnson gave a speech and stayed for about five minutes. The event was held during England’s third lockdown, which confined citizens to their homes and prevented them from mixing with others.

Abba-themed Party at 11 Downing Street

British media reported Tuesday that Johnson was present at an Abba-themed party that took place at his Downing Street residence, where guests blasted “The Winner Takes It All.”

The gathering was allegedly held by Johnson’s wife, Carrie, and her friends to celebrate the departure of top adviser Dominic Cummings, the Telegraph reported. The gathering was held Nov. 13, 2020, the same day Cummings was nudged out of his government role. London was under Tier 3 restrictions at the time, preventing households from mixing indoors.

Asked last year if he would confirm a party on that date, Johnson told Parliament: “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”

Cheese and wine in the garden

The Guardian published a photograph of a “wine-and-cheese party” that took place in the garden of Downing Street on May 15, 2020, when gatherings of more than two people were banned in outdoor public places. Visible in the picture are the prime minister, his wife, 17 staff members, and bottles of wine.

Downing Street said staffers were discussing work.

‘Bring your own booze’ party

Johnson’s private secretary, Martin Reynolds, sent an email to dozens of staffers, encouraging them to “bring your own booze” to a party on May 20, 2020 — at a time when the public was banned by law from meeting up with more than one person outside households.

Johnson admitted attending the outdoor gathering “for 25 minutes.”

“In hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside, and I should have found some other way to thank them,” the prime minister said.

Johnson’s birthday

ITV News reported that Johnson’s wife, Carrie, helped organize an afternoon surprise party attended by about 30 people on June 19, 2020, for the prime minister’s birthday. Guests reportedly sang “Happy Birthday” as Johnson was presented with a cake. That same evening, the broadcaster said, family and friends gathered inside the Johnson residence.

A Downing Street spokesperson told The Washington Post that staff members “gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish the Prime Minister a happy birthday. He was there for less than 10 minutes.” The spokesman said Johnson hosted a small number of family members outside that evening.

Impromptu drinks inside a government office

Staffers had drinks on Nov. 25, 2020, to celebrate Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spending review. A spokesperson for the Treasury said a “small number” of staff members celebrated at their desks. Pubs in the city were closed at the time because of coronavirus regulations.

A leaving party

On Nov. 27, 2020, Johnson reportedly remarked on how crowded the room inside Downing Street was before giving a speech at what the Guardian described as an impromptu farewell celebration for aide Cleo Watson.

Drinks and canapés at the Education Department

The Department for Education admitted holding a Christmas party on Dec. 10, 2020, with staff members gathering over drinks and canapés inside the building after work — despite social mixing between households being barred.

“The gathering was used to thank those staff for their efforts during the pandemic,” a spokeswoman said, adding that, in hindsight, it would have been “better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time.”

‘Wine time Fridays’

The Mirror reported that the Downing Street staff held recurring “wine time Fridays” throughout the pandemic, with staffers taking turns wheeling a suitcase to the supermarket to stock up. The tabloid published a photo of what it said was a 34-bottle wine fridge being delivered through the back door of the building on Dec. 11, 2020.

Party hats and alcohol at another Christmas celebration

Downing Street staffers were reportedly among the attendees at a Dec. 14, 2020, party at the headquarters of the Conservative Party. The party allegedly included dancing into the early hours, despite Tier 2 restrictions in London. Former London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey apologized after a photo emerged and resigned as chair of the London Assembly’s policing and crime committee.

A Christmas quiz

On Dec. 15, 2020, Downing Street hosted a Christmas quiz for staffers. A photo published by the Mirror showed the prime minister inside No. 10 reading out questions alongside one aide draped in tinsel and another wearing a Santa hat. At the time, social mixing among households was banned.

Downing Street said Johnson “briefly took part virtually” to thank staff members for their work during the health crisis.

Boozing and dancing at the Transport Department

Staff at the Department for Transport drank and danced after work on Dec. 16, 2020, as London was placed under “very high alert” and forced into Tier 3 restrictions. The department has apologized for the “inappropriate” event and for its staff’s “error of judgment.”

Cabinet staff parties

On Dec. 17, 2020, while England was in lockdown, staff members from the Cabinet Office gathered to say goodbye to Kate Josephs, a former senior civil servant who led the government’s coronavirus task force. Josephs has since apologized.

In a separate gathering on the same day, staffers for Cabinet Secretary Simon Case attended an event titled a “Christmas Party.” A government spokesperson said it was a “virtual quiz” and that Case didn’t take part but walked through the office. When reports of the gathering emerged, Case stepped down from leading an inquiry into the Downing Street parties.

The Gray report noted that police are investigating a gathering in Downing Street on Dec. 17, 2020, that reportedly was held to celebrate the departure of a government official.

Downing Street Christmas party

On Dec. 18, 2020, Downing Street staffers reportedly gathered to exchange gifts, sip wine and eat cheese in a rule-breaking event that was later joked about by Allegra Stratton, the prime minister’s then-press secretary. Stratton tearfully resigned last month.

Goodbye party for a defense adviser

The Mirror claims Johnson gave a speech at a leaving event for his then-defense adviser, Steve Higham, just before Christmas 2020. Johnson was allegedly “there for a few minutes to thank him for his service,” according to the report. The Ministry of Defense declined to comment.

Parties during mourning

On the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, on April 16, staffers held two parties for departing colleagues at Downing Street. The next day, Queen Elizabeth II was photographed mourning her husband of seven decades by herself, because she was abiding by the coronavirus restrictions put in place by Johnson’s government.

Downing Street apologized to Buckingham Palace for the “deeply regrettable” events that took place amid “national mourning” and during a time that indoor mixing was banned.