Government sources have unveiled that, last year on November 25th, Treasury staff held a party to celebrate Rishi Sunak’s spending review, even though the Government’s official Covid guidance at the time strongly advised that members of the public must only leave home for exercise or shopping. Although officials say that the event was unplanned and that it “wasn’t a formal party”, attendees had brought alcohol into the Treasury. MailOnline has the story.
Around two dozen civil servants attended the drinks party in the Treasury on November 25th last year.
The party was held despite Covid restrictions which had asked people to stay at home unless exercising or food shopping.
At the time, non-essential shops, bars and restaurants were closed.
Sources revealed that Sunak’s officials who had been working on his spending review announcement stayed for a drinks party afterwards.
Wine and beer were brought into the Treasury but the officials insisted the party had been spontaneous.
A source said: “They’d all been working really hard. They had to be in the office anyway that day.
“It was not a formal party but perhaps in hindsight it was not the most sensible thing to do.”
Another insider said nobody had questioned the drinks party or thought there was anything wrong with the event.
They described the situation with parties and events coming to light as a “blame game”, according to the Times.
Sunak was not at the event and it is understood he did not know it was happening.
