Tories turned on Boris Johnson today as he faces the threat of a police probe after a bombshell leaked email showed his top civil servant invited 100 staff to a ‘BYOB’ bash in Downing Street during the first lockdown.
The PM is under huge pressure to ‘come clean’ following the emergence of the message from his principal private secretary Martin Reynolds urging aides to ‘make the most of the lovely weather’ on May 20, 2020.
The email apparently cause shock among some of the recipients, who reportedly exchanged comments including ‘Why is Martin encouraging a mass gathering in the garden?’ and ‘Is this for real?’
At the time, only two people were allowed to socialise outside while at least two metres apart under England’s Covid curbs. There was an exemption for ‘essential work purposes’, but the guidance stated people should ‘minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace’.
On a visit to his constituency yesterday, Mr Johnson ducked questions about whether he attended the gathering along with wife Carrie and 30-40 staff who feasted on drinks, crisps and sausage rolls – as has been claimed. Instead he merely insisted it was a matter for Sue Gray, the senior official leading an investigation into allegations of lockdown-busting parties across Whitehall.
Lawyers have suggested the premier being there might not have broken the law at the time, as it was technically his garden.
But as Mr Johnson gathered Cabinet today there were growing signs of disquiet among senior Tories at the hypocrisy and evasive responses from the government. It is unclear how soon Ms Gray – who has a fierce reputation in Whitehall – is set to deliver her findings.
In another blow, Labour has been granted an urgent question in the Commons this afternoon on the latest revelations – although it seems highly unlikely the PM will respond personally.
Health minister Edward Argar said in a round of interviews this morning that he understood the public’s ‘anger’ at the allegations, and stressed that he personally had not been at any drinks bashes in May 2020 as he was ‘glued to Zoom’.