10 Downing Street had a BYOB garden party in May 2020. No, UK Covid curbs didn't apply to them
Remember when you were making dalgona coffee and baking every single dessert you could find in 2020? A leaked email has revealed that back on May 20, 2020, 30-40 members of staff at 10 Downing Street including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie met up for a garden party for drinks and food from 6 pm. (see, and you thought our government didn't care for us, lol)
This party occured when only two people were allowed to socialise outside while two metres apart under a national Covid curb. The email reveals that attendees were asked to bring their own booze. Reportedly, 100 people had been invited to this party.
I checked the guidance from May 2020 and it definitely said the rules didn't apply to me. #BorisResign#DowningStreetParties
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) January 10, 2022
As per ITV News, the leaked email was sent by Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, and read, "Hi all. After what has been an incredibly busy period 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 6 pm and bring your own booze!"
EXCL: Email obtained by @itvnews proves over 100 staff were invited to drinks party in No 10 garden at height of lockdown to “make the most of the lovely weather”.We’re told PM and his wife attended, with staff invited to “bring your own booze!”https://t.co/rg34EIkdz2 pic.twitter.com/UORlSwwHJX
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) January 10, 2022
On the same day, Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden addressed the public and said at a live news conference,"You can meet one person outside your household in an outdoor, public place, provided that you stay two metres apart."
On May 20, 2020, the Metropolitan Police reminded the public on its 'social media feed that they were permitted to enjoy the weather, but that they must do so on your own, with people you live with, or just you and one other person'.
Have you been enjoying the hottest day of the year so far? ?It is important that we all continue to #StayAlertYou can relax, have a picnic, exercise or play sport, as long as you are: ➡️ On your own ➡️ With people you live with ➡️ Just you and one other person pic.twitter.com/LAVe6DScQ5
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 20, 2020
The Daily Mail reported that the Scotland Yard is now 'in contact with the Cabinet Office' over reports of the drinks party. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted, "Boris Johnson, your deflections and distractions are absurd. Not only did you know about the parties in Downing Street, you attended them. Stop lying to the British public. It’s time to finally come clean."
Boris Johnson, your deflections and distractions are absurd. Not only did you know about the parties in Downing Street, you attended them.Stop lying to the British public. It’s time to finally come clean.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 11, 2022
Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told the BBC the 'PM did not need to wait for an inquiry to answer whether he attended'. She added, "I can't understand if the Prime Minister attended why on earth he thought that was the right thing to do. People are furious about this, what they gave up, how difficult it was, what happened to their own lives, and to think that this was going on? It is indefensible, it cannot be defended."
HOW JOHNSON REACTED: Boris Johnson has been doging questions, refusing to say anything about whether he attended a lockdown breaking party at Downing Street in 2020. When asked on January 10 if Johnson had attended the party, he said, "All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray."
Boris Johnson dodges question on attending Downing Street party while country was in lockdownQ: Did you & Carrie attend the Downing Street Party, organised by Martin Reynolds, on 20th of May 2020?Boris Johnson: All that is subject to the proper investigation by Sue Gray pic.twitter.com/Rr9G9HHoIY
— Haggis_UK ?? ?? (@Haggis_UK) January 10, 2022
For those who don't know, Sue Gray is the senior official who is in the process of investigating the endemic parties across Whitehall during coronavirus restrictions and has begun conducting an independent investigation to determine whether this party occured. She is already conducting an investigation into the No 10 Downing Street 'wine and cheese' party that occured in December 2020 and was revealed in December 2021. (READ MORE HERE: UK PM Boris Johnson partied in 2020 lockdown. Ryanair won't forgive or forget)
Sue Gray’s workload pic.twitter.com/uarLfpfU1A
— Mike Hughes (@MikeHughes_) January 11, 2022
As for the public's opinion, it can be best described with this meme:
On Johnsons #PartyGate Keir Starmer: "The Prime Minister should come clean"Angela Rayner: "He should feel ashamed"Ed Miliband: "Things are going to become very difficult"Me: HE SHOULD F*CKING RESIGN!! pic.twitter.com/QDmmd4LKiZ
— ???? ?️ ???? (@JayJay08752584) January 11, 2022