Boris Johnson was last night accused of an “utterly outrageous” breach of lockdown rules as a leaked email showed one of his top officials invited more than 100 Downing Street staff to a “bring your own booze” party during the first lockdown.
The prime minister is believed to have attended the No 10 garden party on 20 May 2020 along with his then fiancee, Carrie Symonds, after it was advertised by his principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds .
“Hi all, after what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!” said the email, seen by ITV News . It invited just over 100 employees to the gathering at a time when social mixing was banned except with one other person from another household outdoors in a public place .
About 30 to 40 are said to have gone, with food and wine set out, but some reportedly had reservations . “Um. Why is Martin encouraging a mass gathering in the garden?” one member of staffsaid, according to the BBC. Another asked: “Is this for real?”
On the same day, Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, had reminded the public at a press conference: “You can meet one person outside of your household in an outdoor, public place provided that you stay two metres apart.” The Metropolitan police had tweeted that day, telling people they could have a picnic, exercise or do sport outside providing you are “on your own, with people you live with, or just you and one other person”.
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