The Inquiry into Downing Street lockdown misconduct is out today. Eyewitness reports are already causing a sensation in the run-up: According to this, empty bottles and leftovers are said to have testified to the weekly corona breaks in Johnson’s official residence every Saturday morning.
Immediately before the expected release of the “Partygate” investigation report, eyewitnesses to lockdown celebrations at government headquarters have raised serious allegations. In London’s Downing Street, there were invitations to meetings with alcohol every Friday during the corona lockdown, the BBC quoted several anonymous employees as saying. Empty bottles and the remains of food deliveries were still lying around the next morning.
Several media outlets reported that the top official, Sue Gray, delivered her report to Prime Minister Johnson this morning. Johnson then wanted to speak in Parliament around noon. Cabinet member George Eustice showed sympathy for the public’s anger at the rule-breaking in Downing Street this Wednesday. He assured Johnson had not lied to Parliament.
Most recently, photos of a meeting at the government seat on November 13, 2020 appeared. You can see Johnson raising a glass and apparently toasting the others present. Nobody wears a mask, there are several open bottles on a table. According to the BBC, around 30 to 40 people were crowded together in a room. Johnson himself poured alcohol for his employees. At the time, private gatherings were prohibited.
London police had fined several attendees for the event, but not Johnson. In total, the police issued dozens of employees with a total of more than 120 penalties, including the prime minister for another celebration. Because of the affair, members of Johnson’s Conservative Party are also calling for his resignation. This excludes Johnson. He had admitted mistakes, but emphasized that he had always had the impression that these were working meetings.