Around 40 staff gathered in the garden for the drinks party,including Johnson and his wife Carrie,ITV said,even though at the time social mixing between households was limited to two people outdoors.
The allegations of officials holding events in breach of the government’s own lockdown rules,including a Christmas party,have dismayed voters who were told by the government to carefully stick to social distancing rules.
The leaked email was sent by the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds to more than 100 employees in Downing Street on May 20 last year ITV said. It asked them to bring alcohol to the party and to “make the most of the lovely weather”.
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“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,” Reynolds wrote. “Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”
Johnson’s office declined to comment.
At the time,schools were shut to most pupils,and pubs and restaurants were closed,with strict controls on social mixing. Two people from different households were allowed to meet outdoors but only if they maintained a distance of 2 metres.