Downing Street private office drunk booze and stayed late on the last Friday before Christmas 2020, when group socialising was barred.
Was on Dec 18 (same night as the infamous press party). Martin Reynolds attended. Three sources speak to Tel. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/…
The private office is where Johnson’s inner circle of civil servants + closest aides work.
One source in Downing St that night told us: “Everyone was talking about going to the private office drinks as well.”
Lord Lister, then the PM’s chief of staff who worked in private office, tells Tel booze was drunk in lead-up to Christmas there.
“In the run-up to Christmas I’m sure we had a drink. But I want to stress I have no memory of parties. This is sat at one’s desk and having a drink.”
Downing Street this evening is not denying a) alcohol was drunk in private office on Dec 18 2020 and b) Martin Reynolds was present.
But they are saying firmly it was not a party. No10 spokes: “A number of private office staff worked late into the evening on the Covid response.”
Important to note that weekend tougher Covid rules were announced, which would have been a big focus for No10 staff.
Whether it broke Covid rules depends on whether it was socialising or work, according to legal expert. …
Barrister @AdamWagner1, who follows Covid laws closely, says:
“It is not particularly legally complicated. Was it a work gathering or was it a social gathering?
“If it was an after-work gathering for socialising, with alcohol, that would not have been in the rules.”
Other separate allegations emerging tonight - including that Reynolds tried to organise a leaving do in the summer of 2020 but dropped plans after internal push back.
Should be noted Reynolds is a civil servant and does not speak publicly. He has not commented on all claims this week. We put our reporting to No10 for a response that way.
What on earth could the PM say at PMQs? We don’t know. But to speculate, some options. 1/ A major mea culpa. Accept gatherings happened that looked inappropriate, possibly someone goes. Say sorry, even while arguing somehow rules weren’t broken on work grounds. 2/…
Argue that PM was not aware of the invitation or organisation of the May 20 drinks. Theoretically could try to repeat defence from the Guardian photo gathering - thought it was in work talking about work with drinks. We don’t know yet for sure PM knew about Reynolds email. 3/…
Any argument that rules weren’t broken would likely have No10’s unique position as work / home / centre of government at its heart. People were working all hours, boundaries blurred, work events with social element were problematic but not deliberately ill-intentioned, etc. 4/…
1/ Right. After a load of calls some clarity is emerging about what happened at Cabinet. In short: A lot of cab ministers made clear their concern about moving to tougher new restrictions now. Lots centred on the need for more data. With @christopherhope. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/…
2/ Cabinet gathering described by those in the room as discursive. A “wide range of viewpoints” shared. Unlike a lot of the cab meetings it does appear to have been a more general discussion about Omicron approach rather than a ‘here’s the plan, up or down’ meeting.
3/ Those arguing for caution on tougher restrictions can be split largely into two camps - cabinet ministers with economic briefs and those on the libertarian wing of the party / who are championing protection of freedoms.
The minutes from Thursday’s SAGE meeting have just dropped and they include this startling line:
“In England it is almost certain that there are now hundreds of thousands of new Omicron infections per day.”
Also this from Sage:
“Without intervention beyond those measures already in place (‘Plan B’), modelling indicates a peak of at least 3,000 hospital admissions per day in England.”
Take these two together - hundreds of thousands of new infections a day and hospitalisations hitting 3k a day even with Plan B - and it’s hard not to see the Government going for tighter restrictions soon.
Right. Specifics re Plan B have been bouncing round all day and still being finalised but here are some bits about where we are....
1/ A carve out on face masks is expected for hospitality sector, per two Gov sources. That's what went into system this morning. If so then no masks forced in pubs and restaurants.
2/ Has been debate all day about face masks coming back in classrooms but sounds like it WON'T happen. Again being finalised currently but one to watch