A photo (pictured) has emerged revealing that Boris Johnson and members of his staff attended a close-contact social gathering in the Downing Street garden during May 2020. The image appears to show the attendees violating numerous Covid restrictions that were in place at the time, such as rules relating to social distancing and household mixing, with the photographic evidence also challenging the Government’s original claim that this was, in fact, a work meeting. The Guardian has the story.
Johnson has been pictured with wine and cheese alongside his wife and up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during lockdown, raising questions over No. 10’s insistence a “work meeting” was taking place.
The photograph was shared with the Guardian following No 10’s denial last week that there was a social event on Friday May 15th 2020 including wine, spirits and pizza inside and outside the building. Johnson’s Spokesman said Downing Street staff were working in the garden in the afternoon and evening.
However, the picture raises questions over that assertion. Bottles of wine are in evidence, there is a lack of social distancing and 19 people are gathered in groups across the Downing Street terrace and lawn.
At the time social mixing between households was limited to two people, who could only meet outdoors and at a distance of at least two metres. In workplaces, guidance said in-person meetings should only take place if “absolutely necessary”.
