Over the past few days, the government – and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in particular – has faced stinging criticism from all ends of the political spectrum concerning alleged parties and events taking place in and around 10 Downing Street while restrictions were in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS, and save lives. Here’s what we know so far about the gatherings and, in particular, the restrictions in place at the time.
15th May 2020
At this stage, government guidance stated that you could only meet one other person outside your household in an outdoor setting, and that legally you could not leave the house without a good excuse. On this day, 421 people died of coronavirus, bringing the country to a total of 34,621 deaths.
The same day, a photo showed the Prime Minister and his staff with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard socialising in the Downing Street garden. When confronted with this information, Boris Johnson claimed that ‘those people were at work talking about work.’
20th May 2020
With no change to the restrictions in place, around 100 people were invited via email to ‘socially distanced drinks in the No. 10 garden this evening,’ with witnesses telling the BBC that the Prime Minister and his wife were amongst the 30 or so people who attended. Boris Johnson has refused to answer whether or not he was there. 353 people died of coronavirus on this day – the national total was 34,794 deaths.
18th June 2020
Again with no change to the rules stating that you could only meet one other person outside your house for exercise, on this day there was reportedly an event in the Cabinet Office to mark the departure of one of No. 10’s private secretaries (the Guardian). 90 people died of coronavirus this day, with a national total of 39,692 deaths.
19th June 2020
According to a report from ITV News, on this day – Boris Johnson’s birthday, no less – around 30 people allegedly gathered in the Cabinet Room to present the Prime Minister with a birthday cake. At this stage, restrictions banned indoor gatherings involving more than two people. On this day, 88 people died of coronavirus, bringing the national total deaths to 40,995.
13th November 2020
Eight days previously, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new lockdown for England, banning indoor gatherings with other households. BBC sources state that, on this day, Downing Street staff members gathered in the flat where Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson live to mark the departure of a special adviser. 450 people died of coronavirus on this day, with a national total of deaths reaching 51,304.
27th November 2020
Still in lockdown, a leaving event was reportedly held for a No. 10 aide, with attendees drinking and Boris Johnson making a speech according to Sky News. This day, 460 people died of coronavirus, and the national death toll reached 58,030 the next day.
10th December 2020
Eight days previously, London entered extra restrictions banning two or more people from different households from meeting indoors – but on this day, the Department for Education has confirmed it held an office party. This event, however, is not being investigated by the police. 496 people died of coronavirus that day, and the death toll reached 63,082.
14th December 2020
A party took place at the Conservative Party headquarters in Westminster on this day, hosted by mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey as reported by the BBC. Whilst this event was not included in Sue Gray’s report, the Metropolitan Police is allegedly planning on speaking to two of the party attendees. This day, 506 people died of coronavirus, and the total deaths reached 64,402.
15th December 2020
Sources speaking to the BBC have stated that on this day during the lockdown, there was a Christmas quiz for No.10 staff. A photo published by the Sunday Mirror pictures Prime Minister Boris Johnsons taking part, sat between two No. 10 colleagues. The Prime Minister denies any wrongdoing. On this day, 507 people died of coronavirus and the death toll reached 64,908.
16th December 2020
After confirming reports of a party in its offices, the Department for Transport has apologised, calling it ‘inappropriate’ and an ‘error of judgement.’ Around this time, London moved into the highest restriction tier. Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that it was vital that ‘everyone is cautious’ heading into the festive period. This event was not included in Sue Gray’s report, but on this day 484 people died of coronavirus and the total number of deaths reached 65,520.
17th December 2020
On this day, a leaving party was allegedly held to mark the departure of the head of the civil service’s Covid taskforce, the group responsible for planning coronavirus restrictions. On the same day, a second gathering was reportedly held in the Cabinet Office to host a quiz, and a third gathering was allegedly held in No. 10 to mark the departure of an official (ITV). This day, 567 people died of coronavirus and the death toll reached 66,052.
18th December 2020
A report from the Daily Mirror stated that a party took place on this day in Downing Street, which was originally strenuously denied. However, ITV News obtained a video depicting the Prime Minister’s then-press secretary, Allegra Stratton, making jokes about the party. On this day, 586 people died of coronavirus and the total number of deaths reached 67,075 the next day.
14th January 2021
A party was held in No. 10 to mark the departures of two private secretaries, as reported by Reuters. This day saw 1,338 people die of coronavirus, one of the greatest losses in a single day, as the death toll reached 86,015.
16th April 2021
The night before Prince Philip’s socially-distanced funeral, two parties were held at No.10 according to the BBC. One of these parties was a leaving event for James Slack, then the Prime Minister’s director of communications. Slack has since apologised, stating that it ‘should not have happened at the time that it did.’ At this stage, the rules had been relaxed somewhat, however working from home was still encouraged and socialising indoors with other households was not permitted. On this day, 31 people died of coronavirus as the death toll reached 127,225.
Sue Gray’s report
The initial findings from the inquiry into lockdown parties inside government buildings were published on 31st January, highlighting ‘failures of leadership and judgement’, as well as a culture of heavy drinking. The report notes that some events symbolise ‘a serious failure to observe’ standards for the government, with behaviour ‘difficult to justify’ in light of the British public being expected to ‘accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives.’
Gray’s report involved interviewing 70 individuals, examining emails, Whatsapp messages, texts, photographs, and building entry and exit logs. Prime Minister Boris Johnson now faces calls to resign from across the political spectrum, with some Conservative MPs submitting letters of no-confidence in the hopes of sparking a leadership context.
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