Boris Johnson was thrown a surprise birthday party by wife Carrie during the first Covid lockdown - despite indoor social events being banned, it has been claimed.
The alleged Downing Street gathering reportedly saw 30 officials gathering in the Cabinet Room for up to half an hour on June 19, 2021.
As they reportedly sang happy birthday to Boris Johnson while snacking on M&S party food, the rest of the country was living under strict Covid lockdown rules as infections continued to soar.
At the time of the alleged party, families were also torn apart - unable to see one another for months on end.
Some were unable to spend time with their loved ones in their final hours, as vulnerable and elderly relatives lost their battle with the virus.
Here are the lockdown rules enforced on Brits at the time of Boris Johnson's alleged party
- Pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants were open to the public - however there was a one-metre social distancing rule and groups of only up to six people were allowed.
- Table service only applied in indoor settings, with no indoor mixing - such as on dancefloors or at bars.
- Many public toilets remained closed.
- Hotels, hostels, cinemas and amusement arcades were open - also subject to the 'rule of six'.
- The only exception for a gathering of up to 30 people was for a wedding reception or a funeral wake.
- Outdoor seated and cultural events were still banned.
- Leisure centre, gyms and swimming pools were open, but subject to social distancing and restrictions.
Officials said to have been present at the party included Martin Reynolds, the most senior civil servant in the PM's office, who sent the explosive 'BYOB' party email.
Interior designer Lulu Lytle, who was not a member of staff but was renovating the Downing Street flat at the time, was also present.
No 10 did not deny the event took place, but claimed the Prime Minister only attended briefly.
A No 10 spokesman said: "A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish the Prime Minister a happy birthday.
"He was there for less than ten minutes.”
Later that evening, the PM and his wife were said to have hosted family friends in their residence upstairs in an apparent further breach of the rules.
But Downing Street denied the claims - claiming the PM hosted a small number of family members outside instead.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “This is yet more evidence that we have got a Prime Minister who believes that the rules that he made don’t apply to him.
"We cannot afford to go on with this chaotic, rudderless Government.
"The Prime Minister is a national distraction and he’s got to go.”
The week before his birthday party, Mr Johnson had asked the rest of the country to stick to the guidance in a Downing Street press conference.
On 13 June, 2020, the Queen watched a scaled back ceremony for her official birthday on her own, without family by her side.
And in March 2020, the PM replied to a letter from 7-year-old Josephine Booth who cancelled her own birthday party, telling her "we all have got to do our bit".
Senior civil servant Ms Gray is expected to publish her report into Downing Street parties later this week.
