For Boris Johnson's birthday
UK Police will investigate apparent lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street.
The head of London's Metropolitan force has confirmed it is looking into a '"number of events" for alleged breaches of Covid-19 restrictions.
There are fresh allegations of a lockdown-breaking party in Downing Street in June 2020.
ITV News reports approximately 30 staff members - alongside Boris Johnson's wife Carrie - are believed to have met for cake and nibbles during the first lockdown in 2020 - when indoor social mixing was banned, to celebrate Boris Johnson's birthday.
Number 10 is denying the claims - Mr. Johnson's spokesperson says it was a brief gathering during the working day, and not a party.
At the time of the party on 19 June 2020, households mixing indoors was still banned. Just 9 days earlier, the PM urged "everyone to continue to show restraint and respect the rules which are designed to keep us all safe".https://t.co/fs9M1LUF8k pic.twitter.com/Uo8a10wULe
— ITV News (@itvnews) January 24, 2022
Boris Johnson says he is willing to be interviewed by police.
The 57 year-old believes the police investigation will draw a line under the controversy:
Most of his team kept quiet as they left a meeting this morning, except for House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg:
Sue Gray - the civil servant investigating the gatherings - is due to report back this week.
The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, says he understands she was already aware of the latest claims:
UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer believes Mr. Johnson knew there had been breaches of Covid-19 restrictions:
