UK police 'in contact' with government over Downing Street lockdown drinks event

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – British police are in contact with the Cabinet Office over new allegations of an illegal gathering at Downing Street during the first COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020, the force said on Monday night.

“The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches of the Health Protection Regulations at Downing Street on May 20, 2020 and is in contact with the Cabinet Office,” a spokesman for Scotland Yard said.

Invites for the drinks event, which was attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his then-fiancé Carrie Symonds, went out through an email, according to local media reports.

The email, revealed by ITV News, is the first piece of evidence that a party was held at the prime minister’s official residence in May 2020 while the rest of the country endured a stifling lockdown.

The email was sent by Martin Reynolds, Johnson’s principal private secretary, to hundreds of Downing Street staff that included the prime minister’s advisers, speech writers and even door staff.

“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 No10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!” read the email.

Government advice in England on the day of the party was that people should only meet in pairs outdoors to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Last month, a leaked image shared with the Observer magazine showed Johnson, his wife and two aides sitting at a garden table drinking alcohol and eating food. The image was published after earlier claims of another party that was attended by 20 staff members.

The recent revelations will add pressure to an increasingly embattled prime minister who is facing growing discontent within his party and among voters in newly acquired constituencies.​​​​​​​