Boris Johnson visited staff enjoying a No10 lockdown 'party', new report claims

16 December 2021, 16:38 | Updated: 16 December 2021, 19:16

Boris Johnson is said to have briefly joined staff in the No10 garden
Boris Johnson is said to have briefly joined staff in the No10 garden. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

Boris Johnson risks drawing more public fury after it was alleged he joined a drinks gathering of Downing Street staff during the first lockdown last year.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister is said to have spent about 15 minutes with them on 15 May 2020, shortly after then-health secretary Matt Hancock pleaded with people to "stick with the rules" in a televised press conference.

At the time, Covid rules restricted social meetings to two people from separate households, outdoors and at a distance of two metres.

The Guardian reports that about 20 members of staff drank wine and spirits and ate pizza after the briefing, some drinking into the evening on a day of good weather in an alleged "party".

The newspaper said there is no suggestion Mr Johnson drank but said sources claim he was present when staff were drinking. It was claimed he told one person present that they deserved a drink for combatting Covid.

Read more: PM's spokeswoman Allegra Stratton tearfully quits over Xmas party video leak

Read more: Shaun Bailey quits police role after pic shows him grinning at Tory HQ Xmas bash

Downing Street said he attended "briefly" a "meeting" with Mr Hancock in the garden, who is also said not to have drank, before returning to his residence.

A No10 spokesperson told The Guardian: "In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings.

ITV Exclusive: No10 Downing Street staff joke about Christmas party

"On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference.

"The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening."

A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said the sources' claims were "not true" and added that he finished the press conference, debriefed his team, and then "went to the Downing Street garden to debrief the prime minister".

They added that he left Downing Street just over half an hour after the press conference finished and returned to the Department for Health and Social Care.

Mr Johnson is under fire for a series of allegations about staff breaking Covid rules with parties.

He has insisted he is under the impression rules were abided by, but an investigation has been launched into an alleged Christmas do at No10 last December, and a virtual appearance by the PM at a quiz for Downing Street staff.

Starmer asks why people should follow Covid rules if No10 aren't

His Cop26 spokesperson, Allegra Stratton, tearfully quit after she was seen joking with aides about a Christmas Party in leaked footage taken last year.

This week, the former Tory candidate for Mayor of London, Shaun Bailey, stepped down from his role as chairman of the London Assembly's police and crime committee after a photo emerged of him and Conservative campaign staff crowded in a room at a Christmas bash.

A campaign spokesperson apologised for it.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

On Saturday evening, the annual silent walk will take place in west London to mark eight years since the blaze, followed by the reading of the names of the 72 dead, and speeches by campaigners.

Grenfell community gathers for final anniversary before tower demolition begins

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, who has slammed racial inequalities in the health service.

‘Black service, not NHS service’: Health leader condemns racial inequalities that failed mother

Kylie Minogue has cancelled a string of upcoming shows.

Kylie Minogue cancels string of upcoming shows as pop icon shares health update

Emma Webber, the mother of Barnaby Webber (left) and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, the father of Grace O'Malley Kumar during a memorial walk to lay flowers in Nottingham, to mark the second anniversary of their murders.

'Cover-ups' and 'mistruths' surrounding care of Nottingham attack killer, Barnaby Webber's mother claims

David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

David Beckham receives knighthood as Strictly hosts and Luke Littler made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

A protest against proposals for a new Chinese embassy will take place from 2pm at Royal Mint Court, near the capital’s financial district, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather in Parliament Square at the same time.

Demonstrators set to gather for multiple protests against Chinese Embassy and Gaza conflict in London on Saturday

he Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence.

Keir Starmer voices 'grave concerns' over Iran’s nuclear programme in call with Donald Trump

Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn.

'We are ready for this fight': Kneecap’s legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Iranian missiles hospitalise scores of Israelis as Tel Aviv bombarded by waves of retaliatory strikes

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, visit to the University College London Hospital (UCLH).

NHS to slash waiting lists by sending patients straight to GPs for treatment

Exclusive
Lottie Tomlinson has shared her experience of grief with LBC in hopes to encourage others to open up and seek support.

‘My grief has been a long journey of healing’ - Louis Tomlinson’s sister shares heartbreaking experience with LBC

Former GB News presenter Laurence Fox at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Laurence Fox faces trial in 2026 accused of encouraging Ulez camera destruction

The Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence

Starmer urges restraint as Israel strikes Iran again in escalating Middle East crisis

CCTV footage shows the man sitting on the chair, which immediately bends back into the wall.

Tourist damages crystal-covered 'Van Gogh' chair in Verona museum after climbing on it for photo

Maurizio Cattelan: “America” a solid gold toilet installed on the fourth floor of the Guggenheim museum in New York City. United States of America.

Two men who stole £4.75 million gold toilet from house where Churchill was born jailed for more than six years

These funds were used to purchase three Tesla cars, a Mini Cooper and a Nissan Qashqai, Teesside crown court heard

Army sergeant jailed after stealing £336,000 of MoD funds to buy Teslas, hair transplant and 'adult services'