Williamson’s bash probed

GAVIN Williamson’s lockdown-busting party at the Department for Education in the run-up to last Christmas will be investigated by the Cabinet Secretary.

The DfE’s top civil servant said she had referred the drinks do to Simon Case who is probing whether the No 10 Christmas bash breached Covid rules.

The Record reported that up to two dozen of Williamson’s top team held “drinks and canapes” on December 10 last year in the department’s cafe.

Susan Acland-Hood admitted to MPs that she had been present at the social gathering with key members of the then-Education Secretary’s top team.

The flustered mandarin confirmed officials found to have broken rules will face disciplinary action, just as Boris

Johnson threatened for No 10 staff. At a Public Accounts Committee meeting, Tory MP Richard Holden asked how she was investigating whether regulations had been breached.

She replied: “I have referred it to the Cabinet Secretary and the gathering that was held will be part of his consideration as part of caNaPes Gavin Williamson the investigation announced at PMQs.” She added that Williamson – who lost his job in a September reshuffle – had organised the event to thank staff for working in the pandemic. London was under tier 2 Covid restrictions at the time, banning any social mixing between households.