Boris Johnson accused of attending leaving do and giving speech throughout Covid restrictions

Boris Johnson has been accused of giving a speech at a leaving do for his defence adviser in December 2020 when Covid restrictions had been in power.

The prime minister has been embroiled in an ongoing scandal over various events that had been held at Downing Road whereas the general public was being advised to obey social distancing guidelines.

In response to The Mirror, Mr Johnson attended Captain Steve Higham’s leaving occasion “for a couple of minutes” wherein he gave a speech “to thank him for his service”. The newspaper stated a “small variety of No 10 workers briefly stated goodbye”.

Though the precise date of the leaving do just isn’t revealed, it was reportedly held within the run-up to Christmas – when London was beneath Covid guidelines.

Folks had been on the time being suggested to do business from home the place potential and separate households weren’t allowed to combine indoors until a family was linked to a different as a part of a “social bubble”. These guidelines got here into power on 2 December 2020.

The variety of individuals allowed at weddings, funerals, and wakes had been additionally severely restricted.

London then went into tier 3 on 16 December and escalated shortly to tier 4 4 days later.

On 19 December, Mr Johnson stood at his lectern to announce the harsher measures, and advised the general public that Covid case numbers had been rising quickly in London and surrounding counties regardless of the “robust restrictions that are already in place”.

Tier 4 guidelines noticed “non-essential” retailers and providers shut, individuals advised they may not meet a couple of different particular person outside, go away tier 4 areas, keep in a single day away from dwelling, or go away the nation.

Because the Partygate scandal intensifies with frequent new accusations of lockdown-breaking events, senior civil servant Sue Grey has been tasked with the accountability of investigating the claims.

The Telegraph has reported that Mr Johnson has now been questioned by Ms Grey over the allegations and has shared along with her what he is aware of forward of a report on her findings being revealed.

Mr Johnson has claimed that he didn’t know upfront a few No 10 backyard occasion on 20 Might 2020 however admitted attending it as he spoke within the Commons final week. However a columnist has accused him of mendacity, citing individuals who had labored with Mr Johnson who allegedly stated he did know concerning the occasion earlier than it came about.

Sunday Instances columnist Dominic Lawson claimed that not less than two individuals warned Mr Johnson that an e-mail invite despatched out to workers by his principal personal secretary Martin Reynolds made it apparent that it was a celebration and that it “needs to be instantly cancelled”.

Mr Lawson added: “I used to be advised that Johnson’s dismissive response was to say they had been ‘overreacting’ and to reward Reynolds as ‘my loyal Labrador’.

“I then requested somebody who has recognized the PM for many years what might have made him take such an method (apart from pure hospitality and affability). His quick reply was: ‘It’s as a result of deep down he clearly thought the rules had been ridiculous, so why ought to he observe them?’”

These surprising allegations might imply that the prime minister might face claims that he breached the ministerial code by deceptive MPs when he made his apology and insisted that the occasion was a “work occasion”.

Downing Road has insisted that it’s “unfaithful” that Mr Johnson knew concerning the occasion upfront of it taking place.

It comes after it emerged over the weekend that his spouse Carrie Johnson was photographed breaking Covid social distancing guidelines in September 2020, when she celebrated her buddy’s engagement. She stated that she regretted her “lapse in judgement”.

Andrew Bowie, Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, stated that the “ambiance within the Conservative Social gathering is a combination of disgrace, anger and disappointment” because the Partygate saga continues.

The previous occasion vice-chairman advised BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour that he intends to attend for the publication of Ms Grey’s investigation earlier than deciding “what occurs subsequent”.

On the prime minister’s assertion within the Commons, he stated “it was fairly clear that the apology didn’t minimize it within the eyes of many members of the general public and within the eyes of many members of the Conservative Social gathering, really.”

Mr Bowie additionally stated: “There may be loads of ill-feeling on the market and discomfort on the Conservative benches at the place we’re proper now.”

West Dorset MP Chris Loder stated he had obtained an “monumental” variety of emails from constituents concerning the scandal, and urged the events have put the “ethical authority” of presidency into query.

MP Robert Syms has stated that he’s contemplating submitting a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson’s management. It comes after MP Tim Loughton stated he had “regretfully come to the conclusion that Boris Johnson’s place is now untenable”.

Plenty of MPs have despatched such correspondence to the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Tories.

Letters from 54 MPs – 15 per cent of the whole variety of Conservative MPs – are wanted to spark a problem to the PM’s management.