Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Johnsons insist ‘no breach of festive lockdown rules’
BY PIPPA CRERAR Political Editor
and ALETHA ADU
BORIS Johnson and his wife Carrie faced further scrutiny last night over whether they breached lockdown restrictions at Christmas.
Downing Street insisted no rules were broken when they spent the festive period with a friend at No10 despite a near lockdown in London.
The PM’S official spokesman added: “It is entirely accurate to say they followed coronavirus rules at all times.”
Millions of Brits were banned from spending
Christmas with friends and family as Covid cases soared.
The couple’s loose interpretation of official guidance was certain to disappoint many who stuck to the spirit, and the letter, of the rules.
No10 sources confirmed that political campaigner Nimco Ali had joined Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee over Christmas in their Downing Street flat.
The PM’S official spokesman indicated Ms Ali, believed to be a godmother for 17-month-old son Wilfred, was in their “childcare bubble”. He added: “The rules are very clear you could continue to use a childcare bubble on Christmas itself, including in a Tier 4 area.”
The Government guidance said: “You can only use a childcare bubble for childcare. You cannot use a childcare bubble to mix with another household for other reasons.”
The couple were also said to have been in a “support bubble” at the same time with Carrie’s mother, Josephine Mcafee, in line with the rules.
But the rules stated they could not spend Christmas Day with both women at once.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “I’m happy to confirm the Prime Minister’s or Mrs Johnson’s mother were not there over the Christmas period.”
Ms Ali said: “I did not break any rules but you all knew that.”