Parliament ‘lied to by PM’: Cummings

DOMINIC Cummings has accused Boris Johnson of lying to Parliament over allegations of lockdownbreaching bashes in Downing Street, insisting he told the prime minister to get a grip on the “madhouse” when warning him over one “drinks party”.

The former chief adviser said yesterday that Mr Johnson “waved it aside” when he raised concerns over principal private secretary Martin Reynolds inviting more than 100 people to a “bring your own booze” event in the No 10 garden on May 20 2020.

Mr Cummings said regarding that day alone, “never mind the string of other events”, the prime minister “lied to Parliament about parties” by insisting he had been assured no events had taken place that would have broken coronavirus rules.

“Not only me but other eyewitnesses who discussed this at the time would swear under oath this is what happened,” he said.

Downing Street again denied that Mr Johnson had been aware of the event beforehand.

A spokesman said the prime minister stood by his explanation in the Commons last week that he believed it was a work event when he found staff gathered in the garden.

In an updated blog-post yesterday, Mr Cummings said he had warned Mr Reynolds that his emailed invite to staff “broke the rules”.

The fresh allegation came after Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted a flurry of eye-catching new policies being announced were not an attempt to save Mr Johnson from being ousted as prime minister amid calls for his resignation, including from six Tory MPs.

Reports have suggested that ministers were announcing a series of policy announcements under “Operation Red Meat” to save the prime minister.

Angela Glover lost her life.