The PM ‘would have known about party’
BORIS Johnson would have known if a party was being held by staff in Downing Street, his former chief aide has said, despite allies insisting the Prime Minister could not be expected to know what was happening in every room.
Conservative chief whip Mark Spencer insisted Downing Street staff ‘were not drinking alcohol’ and partying during Covid restrictions after it emerged the Prime Minister’s press chief addressed staff at one event last Christmas.
But Dominic Cummings, who left Downing Street in November 2020, said there was no way that Mr Johnson would not have known.
Answering questions on his paid-for blog on Friday, Mr Cummings said: “He knew but I think did not attend.”
But he said: “Remember the geography – to get upstairs he has to walk past that area where he could see it – if he was not at Chequers...”
It is not clear which alleged gathering Mr Cummings was referring to.
However, it came as Downing Street said Mr Johnson retained confidence in communications director Jack Doyle after ITV reported he addressed up to 50 people and made a speech at the party on December 18. Mr Doyle was also under scrutiny over his attendance at the event on December 11, during which it is understood he did present awards to the press team.
Asked if Mr Doyle had offered his resignation, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Not that I’m aware of.”
Mr Cummings said on Twitter Mr Doyle was a ‘gonner’ (sic) but predicted Mr Johnson would keep him on staff until after the Cabinet Secretary’s inquiry, then use him ‘as the sacrifice.’
He said: “Also there’s lots of pictures of the parties which will inevitably get out. And invite lists beyond No10, to other departments...”
The spokesman also said Mr Johnson retains full confidence in adviser Ed Oldfield after he appeared in the leaked footage that prompted former press secretary Allegra Stratton to resign.
Earlier, Mr Spencer insisted the PM ‘will not have lied about any parties.’
The Sherwood MP told BBC Radio Nottingham: “I’m assured that everybody in that building played by the rules, and that’s why the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to do a thorough investigation to find out and establish the facts.”
Mr Spencer said he did not go to any parties in No 10 and sought to explain how the Prime Minister might not be aware of what was happening elsewhere in the building.
“When you describe it as a house, it’s a department of government, this is a huge, huge building, literally with hundreds and hundreds of offices and rooms. No single person could account for what’s happening in those buildings – they are huge buildings,” Mr Spencer said.