Dominic Cummings lit the fuse on the most recent Downing Avenue ‘celebration’ row final week when he printed bombshell claims of a ‘socially distanced drinks’ occasion being held in Quantity 10 on Might 20, 2020.
A Cupboard Workplace probe led by senior official Sue Grey was already trying into allegations of a collection of Covid rule-busting occasions in Whitehall in the course of the course of the pandemic.
However the Might 20 date had not been highlighted publicly earlier than and Mr Cummings’ claims breathed new life right into a dispute which has rocked Boris Johnson’s premiership.
A leaked e-mail emerged final night time which confirmed Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnson’s principal non-public secretary, had invited greater than 100 Downing Avenue employees to an occasion within the Quantity 10 backyard on Might 20, 2020.
The e-mail obtained by ITV Information confirmed Mr Reynolds had invited employees to ‘take advantage of the beautiful climate’ and to ‘carry your individual booze’.
The message backed up Mr Cummings’ preliminary claims as the previous adviser scored a direct hit on his previous boss because the warfare between the 2 males escalated.
Dominic Cummings reignited his warfare with Boris Johnson final week after he claimed a ‘socially distanced drinks’ occasion was held within the Downing Avenue backyard on Might 20, 2020
Mr Cummings left Downing Avenue in November 2020 after dropping an inner energy battle.
Since that time he has been a vocal critic of Mr Johnson, repeatedly mocking the PM and taking goal at his dealing with of the pandemic.
Nonetheless, it’s the preliminary claims surrounding the Might 20 occasion which might do extra harm to Mr Johnson than any of Mr Cummings’ earlier salvos.
In a weblog publish printed on January 7, Mr Cummings dismissed claims of a rule-breaking ‘cheese and wine’ gathering happening within the Quantity 10 backyard on Might 15, 2020, after a leaked {photograph} confirmed him sitting alongside Mr Johnson.
He echoed Downing Avenue in saying that gathering was work-related and no Covid restrictions had been damaged.
However he then stated the Cupboard Workplace probe into events ‘ought to examine the “Socially Distanced Drinks” e-mail despatched on Wednesday 20 Might 2020’.
Mr Cummings 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 e-mail and the warning) stated that this gave the impression to be in opposition to the foundations and shouldn’t occur.
‘We have been ignored. I used to be unwell and went residence to mattress early that afternoon however am advised this occasion undoubtedly occurred.’
The e-mail from Mr Reynolds was then leaked to ITV Information and printed on Monday night, plunging Downing Avenue right into a recent disaster.
Mr Cummings used the identical weblog publish to accuse Mr Johnson of telling ‘a number of lies’ about alleged events.
The Vote Go away maverick had alleged in December final 12 months that there have been extra rule-breaking events in Downing Avenue that ought to be investigated.
They included an allegation that an occasion was held within the Prime Minister’s personal flat on the day that Mr Cummings left Quantity 10.
Mr Cummings declared that ‘regime change is coming’ because the furore over an alleged Christmas celebration in Quantity 10 on December 18, 2020, rumbled on.
Mr Cummings, who now makes use of a buying trolley emoji on Twitter to confer with Mr Johnson, a reference to the PM’s apparently chaotic method to determination making, has not confined his assaults to coronavirus issues.
In September 2021 he labelled Mr Johnson’s Cupboard shake-up a ‘Carrie Reshuffle’ as he claimed the PM’s spouse had influenced appointments. Downing Avenue categorically rejected the suggestion.
He additionally criticised the PM in the identical month over his £12billion raid on Nationwide Insurance coverage to spice up the well being service.
Mr Cummings left Downing Avenue in November 2020 after dropping an inner energy battle
Mr Cummings stated that Quantity 10 ‘cannot do something however spend’ taxpayers’ cash as he labelled the tax rise determination a ‘good day’ for the Labour Occasion.
The earlier excessive level within the confrontation between Mr Cummings and Mr Johnson got here in Might final 12 months when the previous gave proof to MPs on the Authorities’s dealing with of the pandemic.
Mr Cummings lobbed a collection of very private criticisms at Mr Johnson as he questioned the premier’s character and talent to guide the nation.
The previous adviser shocked Westminster as he stated he believed Mr Johnson was ‘unfit for the job’ of PM.
He additionally stated it was ‘crackers’ that Mr Johnson ever ended up in Quantity 10 as he painted an image of a useless and dithering determine who’s obsessive about the media.