Parties on eve of royal funeral lead to apology
Report into scandal is due within weeks
Boris Johnson’s office apologised to the royal family yesterday for holding staff parties in Downing Street on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral last year — the latest in a catalogue of allegedly lockdown-breaching gatherings that are threatening to topple the British prime minister.
Farewell parties for Johnson’s departing spin doctor and another staffer, complete with late-night drinking and dancing, took place on April 16, 2021, the night before Queen Elizabeth II sat alone at her husband’s funeral because of social distancing rules in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Johnson spokesman Jamie Davies acknowledged that news of the gatherings had caused “significant public anger”.
“It’s deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning and No 10 has apologised to the palace,” he said.
He would not comment on allegations reported in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, including suggestions members of No 10 staff had danced to music in the basement and filled a suitcase with alcohol from a nearby convenience store, but said Johnson had not been aware of the plans in advance.
No officials have yet been sacked in connection with the parties on the eve of the duke’s funeral, which took place when indoor social mixing and gatherings of more than six people outdoors were banned.
The events were held to mark the departure of James Slack, Johnson’s former director of communications, and a Downing Street photographer.
Slack, who is now deputy editorin-chief of tabloid newspaper the Sun, apologised “unreservedly” for the “anger and hurt” caused by his farewell party.
Johnson’s office said the prime minister wasn’t in Downing Street, where he both lives and works, on April 16, and had been unaware any gatherings were planned.
But each new revelation about social events inside the prime minister’s office while most in Britain were enduring lockdowns has weakened his hold on power and strengthened calls for him to resign.
A scandal that began weeks ago with a report of a December 2020 Christmas party has grown to about a dozen alleged social events in 10 Downing Street and other government buildings.
Johnson said in his apology on Thursday that he understood public “rage,” but stopped short of admitting wrongdoing, saying he had considered the garden gathering a work event to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic.
Johnson urged people to await the conclusions of an investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray into all the party allegations.
Gray is expected to deliver her report by the end of the month.