Boris Johnson is facing fresh claims of a Downing Street party held during lockdown – this time relating to an event during the first few months of the pandemic – as police have said they still don’t plan to investigate allegations of other Number 10 gatherings.
The prime minister is alleged to have joined Number 10 staff for a gathering in Downing Street in May 2020, during the first national lockdown.
According to both the Guardian and Independent, Mr Johnson was present for around 15 minutes and told one aide inside Number 10 that they deserved a drink for “beating back” coronavirus.
It comes after the prime minister has already been rocked by claims of a number of events held in Number 10 and other government buildings in November and December last year, at a time of strict COVID rules.
In response to those allegations, the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday it is in contact with the Cabinet Office over a Whitehall investigation – led by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case – into those claims.
But the force said that “unless there is evidence from the Cabinet Office or other evidence comes to light”, it will “not at this time” commence its own investigation into alleged gatherings in Number 10 or the Department for Education.
However, the Met did say it would make contact with two people who attended a gathering at the Conservative Party’s headquarters on 14 December 2020 in an alleged breach of COVID restrictions.
Former Conservative London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey this week apologised for attending a party with his campaign team, after pictures emerged of an event in December last year.
Scotland Yard said: “In line with the Met’s policy, officers do not normally investigate breaches of Coronavirus Regulations when they are reported long after they are said to have taken place.
“However, if significant evidence suggesting a breach of the regulations becomes available, officers may review and consider it.”
In the fresh claims, a…
Source : skynews
