BORIS ROCKED BY NEW PARTY REVELATIONS

Email proves key aide invited 100 Downing Street staff to party with PM – while public could only meet one person outdoors

DOWNING Street was in crisis last night after Boris Johnson was accused of attending a boozy, lockdown-busting party organised by a senior aide.

a bombshell email revealed that Martin Reynolds invited 100 staff to the event in the no10garden when lockdown rules meant all parties were illegal.

The Prime Minister’s principal private secretary encouraged staff to ‘bring your own booze’ and ‘make the most of the lovely weather’ on May 20, 2020. Witnesses said Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie attended the event along with up to 40 officials.

Food and drink are said to have been laid out on long tables for an informal buffet – despite social distancing rules.

The party started less than an hour after the then culture secretary oliver dowden used a downing street press conference to warn the public that they were allowed to meet only one person from another household outdoors and that they must remain two metres apart at all times.

Earlier that day scotland Yard had issued a

reminder to the public not to mix with others, saying: ‘Have you been enjoying the hottest day of the year so far? It is important that we continue to stay alert. You can relax, have a picnic, exercise or play sport, as long as you are: On your own; With people you live with; Just you and one other person.’

Last night a Met spokesman said it was ‘aware of widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches of the health protection regulations at Downing Street on 20 May 2020 and is in contact with the Cabinet Office’.

The existence of the party was revealed last week by Mr Johnson’s former aide Dominic Cummings, who said he had warned against staging the event. But the emergence of the written invitation, which was leaked to ITV News, last night piled pressure on the police to investigate.

It also threatened to place Mr Johnson at the centre of the alleged party culture in No 10, which is already being investigated by Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray. The PM yesterday did not deny attending the party, saying only: ‘All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray.’

Barrister Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid regulations, said that on the basis of what was known, the gathering was ‘unlikely to be legal for attendees’. He added: ‘Being outside the home was illegal at the time unless – the only potentially relevant exception – it was for the need to work. Socially distanced drinks and bring your own booze don’t sound like work.’

Several No10 staff also appear to have issued warnings about the party at the time. The BBC reported that one aide responded to the invite saying: ‘Um. Why is Martin encouraging a mass gathering in the garden?’ Another said: ‘Is this for real?’

Last night there was speculation that Mr Reynolds could be forced to resign as soon as today. But senior figures fear that other staff may also be forced out and that the PM will have to explain his own conduct.

Labour said he would have ‘serious questions to answer’ if it emerged that he had attended the party. Leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The Prime Minister has insisted he broke no rules so if the finding is that he did then he will obviously have very serious questions to answer. The Prime Minister has lost huge authority with the public because of these allegations.’

The email was sent to No10 employees including the Prime Minister’s advisers, speechwriters and door staff, the broadcaster revealed.

In it, Mr Reynolds – a civil servant who has run Mr Johnson’s private office since October 2019 – says: ‘Hi all. After what has been an incredibly busy period it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!’ Before the email emerged, Downing Street denied that Mr Reynolds would lose his job, saying that the Prime Minister had ‘full confidence’ in his team.

It follows allegations that staff also gathered in the garden on May 15. A photograph emerged of Mr Johnson and his wife sitting with No10 staff including Mr Reynolds on the terrace with a bottle of wine and cheese. Downing Street has previously insisted that the photograph showed a work meeting.

There was also controversy following footage of Downing Street staff laughing and joking about an event on December 19, 2020. Since then, there have been allegations of multiple other parties at Downing Street and across government.