Anguish and frustration have erupted as more details have emerged revealing a birthday party for Boris Johnson which took place inside Downing Street last year.
The Prime Minister is facing fresh allegations of breaking his own coronavirus restrictions while the nation was under lockdown restrictions limited to outdoor socialising for up to six people.
Downing Street conceded staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room following a meeting after it was alleged 30 people attended and shared cake despite social mixing indoors being banned.
READ: Government commits to mandatory jabs for NHS staff
ITV News reported the Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, had organised the surprise get-together complete with a chorus of “happy birthday” on the afternoon of June 19 2020.
Following the recent Downing Street party allegations a tweet from the Prime Minister has resurfaced of him thanking a young girl for postponing her birthday party and staying at home because she wanted "everyone to be ok".
Josephine, who was seven years old at the time of the letter penned in May 2020, wrote to Boris Johnson to "please keep working hard to keep us all well".
In response to Josephine's letter, Boris Johnson tweeted: "Josephine sets a great example to us all by postponing her birthday party until we have sent coronavirus packing.
"Together we can beat this. In the meantime let's all wish her happy birthday (twice) whilst washing our hands. #BeLikeJosephine #StayHomeSaveLives."
This tweet has resurfaced after reports of up to 30 people allegedly attended an indoor birthday party for the Prime Minister held on June 19, 2020 allegedly organised by his wife, Carrie Johnson.
Another exchange has emerged on Twitter after @Mick_Bailey tweeted the government's account in December 2020 to ask if a workplace party could be held at the end of the day with staff members only.
The Government replied through its own Twitter account: "Hi Mick, although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."
There has been backlash from the public who have shared their own stories from the first lockdown as they made their own sacrifices to follow the rules and help prevent the spread of the virus.
On Twitter, @kellyshimmin said: "My son had no visitors on his 1st birthday because of the ‘rules’. He made do with his Teletubby balloons."
Another user, @workwithjuice, said: "My son…never had a 4th or 5th birthday party with his friends or family because we were very very clearly in lockdown."
Twitter user @FakeGucciSlider questioned the Prime Minister's wife's alleged actions: "If Carrie Johnson organised a party breaking lockdown rules, does that now mean she can be fined up to £10,000?"
Former MP Anna Soubry shared her frustrations: "Beyond angry and disgusted….. and that’s just at the #Conservative MPs who continue to support him."
Other reports have suggested the Prime Minster's birthday was in fact not an official party.
Secretary of State Nadine Dorries defending the indoor gathering in June 2020: "So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for ten minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?"
Grant Shapps MP, Transport Secretary appeared on GMB news to dismiss some of the allegations: "There weren't 30 people there and it wasn't organised by Carrie Johnson."
He went on to say the party was organised by office staff who were working with him on a daily basis, but "mistakes were made" on other occasions.
The nation eagerly awaits the findings from Sue Gray's enquiry into the allegations of parties taking place inside Number 10's walls during lockdown restrictions.
Findings from the enquiry are expected at the end of the week, but could possibly not materialise until the start of next week.
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