BORIS Johnson has insisted an alleged party with 20 civil servants inside Downing Street during the first lockdown was a routine meeting with Matt Hancock's team. It is claimed Mr Johnson gathered with close advisers on May 15 last year for drinks inside No10 and in its garden.
The Mega AgencyBoris Johnson has been accused of attending a party with civil servants in No 10 during lockdown '/ ' Last night the Prime Minister's spokesman said a meeting was held in the garden, as is regularly the case in the summer. According to The Independent, the get-together was held just after then Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a light easing of restrictions during a televised press conference. The publication claims the group ate pizzas and drank alcohol until late into the night. At the time, people from different households were being restricted to one-on-one meetings outdoors with gatherings indoors strictly forbidden. Responding to the allegations, a No10 spokesman said: ...In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings. ...On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference. ...The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening.... Most read in The US Sun PAYDAY Surprise '$1,100 Christmas payments' arriving TOMORROW as $6,300 cash sent out CELL PROBED Baldwin's phone 'seized by FBI' after cinematographer's tragic movie set death MIND YOUR SAFETY What to know about the December 17 TikTok challenge in schools DEATH TRAP Deadliest animals that can kill humans in SECONDS with bites, stings and poison BATTLE OVER BABY Tristan Thompson suffers loss in paternity battle with Maralee Nichols KHLOE'S PAIN Khloe is 'MORTIFIED' that Tristan snuck new 'baby mama' into LA home Days before the alleged event \- on May 10 \- Mr Johnson thanked Brits in televised address for abiding by Covid restrictions. Outlining an increase in fines for restriction breaches at the time, the PM said: ...You must obey the rules on social distancing, and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.... The accusations come as the PM is accused of personally breaking Covid laws by hosting the virtual quiz in No10 for staff in the policy unit and press office last Christmas. Mr Johnson was pictured on screen as he read out questions to colleagues on December 15, 2020. A leaked email suggests the organisers had planned the event days in advance for some staff to attend the event in person, from the office. The PM hosted the quiz via Zoom while some staff were at their office computers instead of logging in from home. The leaked email, seen by The Mirror, was sent the Friday before to team captains which told staff members "planning to stay in the office for the quiz" to follow social distancing rules. A No10 spokesman said of the event: "This was a virtual quiz. ...Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks. Most Read in News UNDER FIRE What to know about Judge Michelle Odinet 'SHOPPING CART KILLER' 'Serial killer' who moves bodies in Target cart is probed as 4 slain IN COLD BLOOD Mexican actress shot dead while waiting to pick up her son, 11, from football TIKTOK THREAT Warning over challenge that urges kids to bring WEAPONS to school tomorrow CASHFLOW Five stimulus check payment programs to replace the monthly $300 child tax credit WE WANT JUSTICE Grieving dad of model's friend wants three suspects hit with MURDER charges FILTHY DEN Inside home where model & friend spent last hours before being left for dead MIND YOUR SAFETY What to know about the December 17 TikTok challenge in schools DEATH TRAP Deadliest animals that can kill humans in SECONDS with bites, stings and poison HOME OF HORRORS Suspects spotted leaving apartment where model & friend seen before deaths "The Prime Minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year." Speaking about the quiz night, Nadhim Zahawi said: ...What do we see? We see the PM in a virtual quiz night for 10 to 15 minutes to thank his staff. ...Many people would have had a similar zoom quiz. ...People will look and think, he's on a virtual call before he goes back to work. Is that really a terrible crime?... Source:
