Boris Johnson has received a questionnaire from police investigating allegations of lockdown-violating parties in Downing Street.
According to reports, the prime minister may have attended six events, which are being probed by the police.
Mr Johnson’s ‘bring your own wine party’ during the first COVID lockdown and a gathering to mark his birthday are being investigated by 12 parties.
Further details have since been reported, suggesting that the leader of the Conservative Party was seen attending a party at his No. 11 residence on the night of his former senior aide Dominic Cummings, and that he had been among his former defense advisers. One for one attended a holiday.
The 12 parties being investigated by the Metropolitan Police are:
– May 20 2020: Bring Your Own Booze Party:
A leaked email from Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary, showed that 10 employees were not invited to ‘bring their own wine’ at an event in Downing Street Gardens.
Mr Johnson has admitted he was there for 25 minutes, but said he felt it was a ‘work program’ to thank the staff for their efforts during the pandemic.
– 18 June 2020: Going to the Cabinet Office:
An interim report by senior civil servant Sue Grey said a gathering was held at 70 Whitehall Building to mark the departure of a No. 10 private secretary.
The incident was not previously disclosed, but The Telegraph said the officer in question is former home affairs policy adviser Hannah Young, who left Downing Street to take on the role of deputy consul general in New York.
The newspaper said it was understood that around 20 people had consumed alcohol.
– 19 June 2020: Boris Johnson’s 56th birthday:
Downing Street has ‘briefly assembled’ staff in the cabinet room, reportedly a surprise meeting for the prime minister hosted by his now-wife, Carey.
The PA news agency was told that Lulu Little, the interior designer behind the grand renovation of the Downing Street flat, participated briefly while working there.
However, Number 10 has denied a report that, later that evening, family and friends were hosted above to celebrate the occasion.
– 13 November 2020: Downing Street Flat Two:
Mrs Johnson reportedly hosted parties at the official flat at number 11 where she and Mr Johnson live, including an incident on 13 November, the night of Dominic Cummings’ acrimonious departure.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s wife called the claim “complete nonsense”.
But reports have since suggested that the prime minister was seen leaving the flat that night, with the Mail on Sunday stating that Abba’s songs, including The Winner Takes It All, were being played coming from the residence. was heard.
Mr Cummings, the former de facto chief of staff at No. 10, is alleged to have had photos of parties held in the flat during the lockdown and said he had spoken to people who visited Johnson’s residence the night he left Downing. Heard music from Street.
– 13 November 2020: Leaving party for senior colleague:
According to reports at the time, Mr Johnson made a speech for Lee Cann, his late communications director and close aide of Mr Cummings.
– 17 December 2020: Cabinet Office ‘Christmas Party’:
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case removed himself from the Whitehall parties’ investigation after reports of a gathering at the Cabinet Office surfaced – to be replaced by Ms Grey.
It was reported that the do was organized by a personal secretary on Mr Case’s team, and was included in the digital calendar: ‘Christmas party!’ and includes an online quiz.
The Cabinet Office said Mr Case played no role in the event ‘but went on his way from the team’s office’.
– 17 December 2020: Dropping drinks for former COVID taskforce chief:
Kate Joseph, former director general of the government’s COVID taskforce, said she was “really sorry” for leaving a drink kept in the cabinet office.
– 17 December 2020: No 10 leaves:
Leaving Do was organized for a late Downing Street official.
The Telegraph reported that the staff member in question is Captain Steve Higham, one of Mr Johnson’s private secretaries at the time, who advised on issues of defense and national security.
The Mirror, which reported the incident before the police investigation began, said Mr Johnson was only there for ‘a few minutes’.
Captain Higham became the Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in July 2021.
– 18 December 2020: Downing Street Christmas Party:
Officials and advisers reportedly gave speeches, enjoyed a cheese board, drank together and exchanged Secret Santa gifts, although the prime minister is not believed to have attended.
Mr Johnson’s spokeswoman Allegra Stratton has resigned after video surfaced of her joking about a ‘fantasy party’ at a mock press conference.
– January 14, 2021: More leaving drinks in Downing Street:
A gathering was organized at No. 10 to mark the departure of the two private secretaries.
According to The Telegraph, reports have suggested that the prime minister attended the quitting event, which was for a senior civil servant in the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports.
The identity of the second officer is still unknown.
– 16 April 2021: Dropping drinks on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral:
The night before the Queen sat alone at the funeral of her husband of nearly 70 years, two drop-offs were reportedly held at No. 10, in compliance with COVID regulations at the time.
Downing Street apologized to Buckingham Palace after details of the boozy drink parties surfaced, including one for outgoing communications director James Slack.
Incidents not covered by police investigation:
– 15 May 2020: Cheese and wine at No. 10 Garden:
A picture emerged of several groups in the Number 10 Garden sitting together on the roof, including Mr Johnson, Mrs Johnson, Mr Cummings and Mr Reynolds.
– 27 November 2020: Another Special Advisor departs:
Mr Johnson reportedly made a speech at a gathering for Cleo Watson, another aide of Mr Cummings.
– 10 December 2020: Department of Education Christmas Drinks:
Then Education Secretary Gavin Williamson reportedly organized a party and gave a brief speech at his department’s Whitehall headquarters.
– 15 December 2020: An Online Christmas Quiz in No. 10:
The Prime Minister appeared on the contestants’ screens in the quiz but insisted that he had not broken any rules.