A letter exchange between Boris Johnson and a seven-year-old girl who cancelled her birthday party in lockdown has re-surfaced amid reports the PM had a party for his own special day.
In March 2020 the Prime Minister praised young Josephine for cancelling her birthday party because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Josephine, who turned seven, wrote to Mr Johnson to tell him she was "staying at home because you asked us to".
The little girl, who lives in Stubbington, Hampshire, said she made the decision in the hope it will help prevent Covid-19 spreading further.
But last night reports emerged that just months later, Mr Johnson had his own birthday party.
The Prime Minister, born on June 19, celebrated with up to 30 people, ITV news reports.
At the time of this alleged gathering, social mixing indoors was banned, people could only meet their loved ones outside in groups of up to six people and most schools remained closed to their pupils.
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.”
A few months previous, the PM had a poignant exchange with a young girl who had written to him about cancelling her seventh birthday party.
"I want to let you know it is my birthday today but I am staying at home because you asked us to," Josephine said in her neatly penned letter.
"I think mummy and daddy might have to cancel my birthday party but I don't mind because I want everyone to be ok.
"Please keep working hard to keep us all well. Are you remembering to wash your hands?"
Mr Johnson even wrote back to Josephine and posted his reply on his Twitter account.
He wrote: "Happy birthday! I am glad to hear you are staying at home, though I am sorry to hear about your party.
"We have all got to do our bit to protect the NHS and save lives, and that is exactly what you are doing, so well done! You are setting a great example.
"We are working round the clock to keep people safe, and if we work together we can send coronavirus packing. And once we have done that you can DEFINITELY have a party with your friends!
"In answer to your question - I'm regularly washing my hands with soap and water for 20 seconds: the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice!"
