‘Work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden’
Downing Street has defended the Prime Minister and other Government officials after pictures surfaced from yet another gathering during the first national lockdown.
Boris Johnson is again in the firing line after the Guardian published images showing the PM, Carrie Johnson, and colleagues with wine and cheese on May 15 2020.
I didn't go through the agony myself.
I conducted funeral after funeral after funeral during lockdown.
I would explain to families that they could only have six attendees.
I would watch them break a little more.
Over and over and over. pic.twitter.com/7e30GC4Wyj— tern (@1goodtern) December 20, 2021
Of course, at the same time the image was taken, the rest of the UK was grappling with restrictions. Pubs and restaurants were still closed at this time and would not open back up to the public for another two months.
The Guardian have revealed a photo of Johnson and other Downing Street staff having cheese and wine at a gathering last May – as the country was in lockdown.
Number 10 insist this was work related… sure.
FYI: Guidance for social outdoor mixing was a max of 2 people 2m apart pic.twitter.com/HKSgkNEFQR
— Will Lloyd (@willglloyd) December 19, 2021
Similarly, schools were still shut.
Closing ranks, a spokesperson for Number 10 said: “As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings following a Number 10 press conference.”
“Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in Number 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden.”
Boris Johnson has been pictured with wine & cheese alongside his wife & up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during LOCKDOWN
Here he is telling Parliament “all guidance was followed completely in number 10”👇
Surely, now, he must resignhttps://t.co/AdNfOsJ9fg https://t.co/r5nGtFoB5E
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) December 19, 2021
At the time, the then health secretary Matt Hancock said: “You can meet one other person from outside your household in an outdoor, public place. But please keep two metres apart.”
While Number 10 has defended the PM, the public has once again taken to Twitter to share their discontent.
Boris Johnson’s No. 10 lies so often, and with such ease. This is no laughing matter. https://t.co/eRLlLKNr0q
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) December 19, 2021
“Boris Johnson’s No. 10 lies so often, and with such ease. This is no laughing matter,” tweeted Labour MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: “I guess staff meetings look a bit different if you went to Eton?
I guess staff meetings look a bit different if you went to Eton?
Enough is enough. Tell us the truth about what was going on in Downing Street from the very beginning immediately @BorisJohnson https://t.co/Ovrs9Z5Zxh
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) December 19, 2021
“Enough is enough. Tell us the truth about what was going on in Downing Street from the very beginning immediately.”
Related links:
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- Piers Corbyn arrested on suspicion of inciting arson and violence towards MPs
- Labour gave up on North Shropshire before the by-election even began
