Staff at 10 Downing Street have taken what they dubbed “wine-time Fridays” during England’s coronavirus lockdown, British tabloid newspaper The Mirror reported.
A former No. 10 source, who worked at the UK Prime Minister’s official residence until 2020, confirmed to CNN that such gatherings continue to happen regularly. The source said that others referred to them as “wine-time Fridays”, but the source did not attend the events in person.
The revelations from several parties on Downing Street – including the night before Prince Philip’s funeral last April – have sparked a major political scandal for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and prompted questions about how long he would May survive as leader of the governing Conservative Party.
Downing Street did not deny reporting when contacted by CNN. It referred CNN to an ongoing investigation into such gatherings by senior civil servant Sue Grey.
“An ongoing investigation is underway to establish facts around the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, setting and purpose, in terms of adherence to the guidance at that time. Findings will be made public in due course,” a Downing Street spokesman said on Friday. said.
‘I am truly sorry’
The news comes as Kate Joseph, former Director General of the UK Government COVID-19 Taskforce, apologized for leaving office on 17 December 2020 to have a drink while the UK was in lockdown.
“I gathered with colleagues who were at work that day, in our office at the Cabinet Office, with alcohol, to leave the civil service,” Joseph said in a statement posted to his Twitter profile on Friday.
Joseph, now chief executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “I am really sorry I did this and for the anger people will feel as a result. Sheffield has suffered greatly during this pandemic, and I apologize unconditionally.”
In his statement, Joseph also said that “the specific facts of the incident will be considered in the context of the Cabinet Office’s investigation. I did not attend any event at 10 Downing St.”
UK government guidance at the time stated: “While there is an exemption for work purposes, you must not have a Christmas lunch or party where it is primarily a social activity and is not otherwise permitted by your level of regulations.” “
Conservative MP Andrew Bridghan on Saturday became the latest politician to demand Johnson’s resignation. He told British broadcaster Sky News that the PM’s position was now “unstable” and that Johnson should call it “a day for the good of the country”.
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