Dominic Cummings immediately claimed one other Covid rule-busting ‘socially distanced drinks’ occasion was held within the Quantity 10 backyard on Might 20, 2020, as he accused Boris Johnson of telling ‘a number of lies’ about gatherings.
Mr Johnson’s former chief aide stated he had warned the alleged occasion ‘appeared to be in opposition to the foundations and mustn’t occur’ however he was ‘ignored’.
In the meantime, Mr Cummings stated a a lot publicised ‘cheese and wine’ gathering within the backyard on Might 15, 2020, was inside the guidelines.
A leaked {photograph} first revealed by The Guardian confirmed Mr Cummings sat at a desk with Mr Johnson and Mrs Johnson whereas a bunch of aides had been within the background.
Mr Cummings stated in a brand new weblog put up that ‘the scene on the terrace was in no sense a “celebration” or “organised drinks”‘ as a result of ‘many conferences had been going down within the backyard all day’.
The brand new accusation of a social gathering in Quantity 10 on Might 20 is prone to reignite a livid political row over alleged rule-breaking events inside Whitehall as a Cupboard Workplace probe centred on a December 18 Downing Road occasion continues.
Mr Cummings stepped up his confrontation with Mr Johnson as he stated: ‘Clearly the PM has instructed a number of lies about events in December 2020 and compelled or inspired others to inform the media unfaithful issues.’
Dominic Cummings immediately claimed Covid rule-busting ‘socially distanced drinks’ had been held within the Quantity 10 backyard on Might 20, 2020
Mr Johnson’s former chief aide stated he had warned the alleged occasion ‘appeared to be in opposition to the foundations and mustn’t occur’ however he was ‘ignored’.
The leaked picture of the Might 15 gathering confirmed Mr Johnson, Mrs Johnson and 17 different employees members within the backyard, with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard on a desk in entrance of the PM.
Mr Cummings immediately confirmed that he’s pictured sitting reverse the Prime Minister within the {photograph}.
However he wrote: ‘It’s alleged by many who this reveals “a celebration”, “rule breaking” and so forth. That is unsuitable.
‘I had a number of conferences at that desk that day. Earlier than this picture the PM, me and others had a gathering at that desk.
‘The assembly ended roughly 6-630. The PM and I continued speaking because it broke up. Somebody introduced a bottle of wine out to the desk.’
He added: ‘The scene on the terrace was in no sense a “celebration” or “organised drinks”. Many conferences had been going down within the backyard all day.’
Mr Cummings stated it was ‘frequent sense’ for conferences to happen outside due to the continued pandemic.
However he stated ‘there was a social occasion Might 2020 that ought to not have occurred’.
He wrote: ‘On Wednesday 20 Might, the week after this picture, a senior No10 official invited individuals to “socially distanced drinks” within the backyard.
‘I and a minimum of one different spad (in writing so Sue Grey can dig up the unique electronic mail and the warning) stated that this appeared to be in opposition to the foundations and mustn’t occur.
‘We had been ignored. I used to be ailing and went dwelling to mattress early that afternoon however am instructed this occasion undoubtedly occurred.’
The Authorities has confronted quite a few accusations of rule-breaking gatherings being held in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
It has beforehand been alleged {that a} Christmas celebration was held in Downing Road on December 18, 2020.
That occasion reportedly noticed officers and advisers make speeches, get pleasure from a cheese board, drink collectively and trade Secret Santa presents, though the Prime Minister just isn’t thought to have attended.
That occasion is on the coronary heart of an investigation being led by senior civil servant Sue Grey, which is inspecting the allegations of lockdown-breaking events throughout Whitehall.