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Kate Plummer
Jan 14, 2022
Two more Downing Street parties took place while the country - including the Queen no less - endured strict lockdown restrictions, it has been revealed.
The Telegraph reports that two leaving parties took place on 16th April 2021, the night before Prince Philip’s socially distanced funeral, and when the country was in step two of the lockdown roadmap - meaning no indoor mixing, and rule of six outside.
One of the parties was for James Slack, Johnson’s director of communications, while the other was for a photographer. Around 30 people attended the combined events, which merged during the night, and Johnson was not at Downing Street at the time, according to reports.
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Meanwhile, there was music, alcohol and a source claims a member of staff even broke Wilf Johnson’s swing. The next day, a photo of the Queen sitting alone at her husband’s funeral, due to the rules in place at the time, tugged on the nation’s heartstrings.
As yet another allegation of rule-breaking hit the internet last night, here’s what people had to say about it.
@Tony_Diver Do they ever actually have time to fit in any work around all the parties??— Shirts Shirts Shirts (@Shirts Shirts Shirts) 1642110381
so, basically they were all getting hammered like at a teenage disco? no wonder Matt Hancock got off with a girl in the bogs— Alice Lowe (@Alice Lowe) 1642113894
Tbf it sounds like a very fun place to work— Olivia Alabaster (@Olivia Alabaster) 1642113784
when you live above a nightclub https://t.co/7KWfZaKtW1— Toby Earle (@Toby Earle) 1642113065
Sue Gray pours herself a fishbowl of wine.— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1642110330
Sue Gray tonight https://t.co/7LjakUF5Xd— Declan Cashin (@Declan Cashin) 1642110583
"While employed by Downing Street, I was sent to the Co-op on the Strand to fill a suitcase with bottles of wine fo… https://t.co/HNP4ybsSuY— Jim Waterson (@Jim Waterson) 1642110689
put Johnson’s next audience with The Queen on Pay Per View, pay off the national debt in one go— . (@.) 1642113428
“I’m travelling to Downing Street, which my Bradshaw’s guide assures me is still the best place to get an alcoholic… https://t.co/65jddMtkI3— Mo' (@Mo') 1642112644
Can’t wait for @NadineDorries to blame the swing. https://t.co/ehMcXmMJjb— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1642111231
Downing St really cancelled Eid, said “the BAME community” were not taking the rules seriously enough and then had multiple illegal parties— Pistachio (@Pistachio) 1642116723
It's just gets worse and worse. They have no shame. https://t.co/qN772mtyqF— Rachel Reeves (@Rachel Reeves) 1642111472
Get resignation done. https://t.co/mwetfbZUIq— Tim Farron (@Tim Farron) 1642111575
Enough is enough. https://t.co/DNWaJxE1Bc— Wes Streeting MP (@Wes Streeting MP) 1642111629
For Gods sake. Who do they think they are? The Queen sat alone at her husband’s funeral out of respect for Covid r… https://t.co/as8XdKnjlO— Yvette Cooper (@Yvette Cooper) 1642112780
“I unintentionally walked into the raucous disco, which I implicitly felt was a night long vigil for the Duke” https://t.co/OuugZEzGen— Jack Blackburn (@Jack Blackburn) 1642113470
Shameful and disgusting behaviour. Our country deserves better than this. The rot starts at the top, @BorisJohnson… https://t.co/Z11wiROhKQ— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1642113495
Is there a day when there wasn’t a party in Downing St.? https://t.co/uBfrfQ0LW0— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1642113705
This image holds all the loss so many felt …..and the words all the arrogant disrespect… https://t.co/g0ILBft2de— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@Deborah Meaden 💙) 1642113713
Her Majesty The Queen abided by the rules of lockdown like thousands of other grieving families. She showed dignity… https://t.co/YOOIkLlKY7— Naomi Long MLA (@Naomi Long MLA) 1642113860
My God these people are awful. Truly awful. https://t.co/e1FTVJIFWJ— Chris Bryant (@Chris Bryant) 1642115637
The fish rots from the head. The culture in Downing Street is one of disregard and impunity. Answer me this, do you… https://t.co/2hm9tgE2Kq— Jess Phillips MP (@Jess Phillips MP) 1642117990
"A pint of wine? This is nothing, the No10 lads drink it by the suitcase" https://t.co/KCQPbvbuax— Michael Deacon (@Michael Deacon) 1642113477
Sorry but "Wilf Johnson's Swing Set" isn't a child's plaything it's a 1940s jazz band— Michael Docherty (@Michael Docherty) 1642113985
We will remember them. https://t.co/0qCP0DXzaZ— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE) 1642159638
A No 10 spokesperson commented on Slack’s leaving party and told the Telegraph: “On this individual’s last day he gave a farewell speech to thank each team for the work they had done to support him, both those who had to be in the office for work and on a screen for those working from home.”
Meanwhile, Slack apologised for the event:
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said Downing Street had said sorry to the Palace following the reports.
The spokesman said: “It is deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning and No 10 has apologised to the Palace.
“You heard from the PM this week, he’s recognised No 10 should be held to the highest standards and take responsibility for things we did not get right.”
Asked why No 10 had apologised rather than Boris Johnson himself, the spokesman said: “Well, again, the Prime Minister said earlier misjudgments have been made and it’s right people apologise, as the PM did earlier this week.
“It remains the case that I can’t prejudge the inquiry, which you know is ongoing, which has been led by Sue Gray, but we acknowledge the significant public anger, it was regrettable this took place a time of national mourning.”