Staff at 10 Downing Street 'felt they had permission' from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to hold parties when lockdown restrictions were in force, according to a BBC Panorama investigation which aired tonight (Tuesday, May 24). Officials gave testimonies to Laura Kuenssberg ahead of the publication of Sue Gray's inquiry into "partygate", which is expected on Wednesday.
Three individuals spoke to Kuenssberg on condition of anonymity. They told her of bottles left on tables, overflowing bins, people crowded "shoulder to shoulder" and a culture encouraged by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Kuenssberg asked one of the officials: "To be really clear about this, you and your colleagues felt you had - essentially - permission from Boris Johnson to have these events?"
