The alleged illegal parties that threaten the future of Boris Johnson

A Christmas party, a farewell drink, wine and cheese in the sun… The government of Boris Johnson He is accused of holding a dozen parties in full lockdown, which are now the subject of a Scotland Yard investigation.

– May 15, 2020

A photo published by the press shows the prime minister, his wife Carrie (then his fiancée) and government aides sharing cheese and wine in the Downing Street garden. At that time the country was in the middle of the first confinement and social gatherings were prohibited, but Johnson assured that it was “people at work, talking about work.”

– May 20, 2020

A hundred people are invited, through an email sent by Johnson’s private secretary, Martin Reynolds, to “enjoy the good weather” having a few drinks “with social distance” in the gardens of the official residence of the prime minister.

At that time, the British could only legally see a single person, outdoors and in a public place.

Boris Johnson apologized in Parliament for spending 25 minutes in that meeting, saying he thought it was a working meeting.

– June 19, 2020

Johnson takes part in a surprise birthday party thrown in her honor at Downing Street. About 30 people attend, according to the ITV channel. A spokeswoman assures that the prime minister was “less than ten minutes” in that “brief meeting” of his staff.

– November 13, 2020

The press speaks of a party with collaborators at Johnson’s official residence. The leader assures that “the rules were complied with at all times.” At the time, the UK was in its second lockdown.

– November 27, 2020

Despite the confinement, according to anonymous witnesses quoted by the press, a farewell party was held for a Downing Street employee, during which the Prime Minister made a speech. The meeting would have gathered about 50 people in a room.

– December 10, 2020

The Ministry of Education confirmed that on December 10 they held a party in which some 20 people gathered to taste “drinks and canapés”. After the end of the second lockdown in England, restrictions still applied in London that prohibited people from different households from meeting indoors.

– December 14, 2020

Following the publication of a photo in the press, the Conservative Party acknowledged an unauthorized party was being held at its London headquarters, organized by the team of then-London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey. He has since resigned as chairman of the London Mayor’s Police and Crime Commission.

– December 15, 2020

The Sunday Mirror publishes a photo of the prime minister, flanked by two aides, taking part in an online quiz show. Downing Street admitted that Johnson had “briefly” participated in the event, stressing that it was virtual.

– December 16, 2020

The Transport Ministry apologized for an “inappropriate” Christmas party held at its offices.

– December 18, 2020 –

A close Johnson aide has resigned after joking in a viral video about a Christmas party reportedly attended by about 40 people in Downing Street that day.

The prime minister said he was “furious” and had been “repeatedly assured” since the affair began that “there had been no party” and that “no rules” had been broken.

– April 16, 2021

According to the Daily Telegraph, two farewell meetings “with alcohol” were organized in Downing Street on the eve of the funeral of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who had to sit alone, away from her family and friends, at her funeral. in the chapel at Windsor Castle.

Boris Johnson claims that he was not present at those meetings, in which the alcohol was smuggled in a suitcase, because he was at his country residence in Checkers. Downing Street apologized to the queen.

– Friday Wine

The Mirror claims that every Friday Downing Street employees ended their working week by sharing a glass of wine, a “long-standing tradition” that continued despite the pandemic.