Reports have emerged that Boris Johnson had a birthday party during the first lockdown in 2020, at a time when indoor gatherings were banned.
The Prime Minister is alleged to have celebrated his 56th birthday on June 19, 2020, with up to 30 people including the interior designer who decorated his Number 11 flat Lulu Lytle in the same year, ITV news reports. His wife Carrie Johnson and Ms Lytle are said to have presented Mr Johnson with a cake, as Carrie led staff to sing a chorus of Happy Birthday.
Members of the public were not allowed to mix indoors at the time, according to Mirror Online. Days earlier, Mr Johnson asked the public "to continue to show restraint and respect the rules which are designed to keep us all safe".
When is Boris Johnson's birthday?
Boris Johnson was born on June 19, 1964. On the date of the party in question back in 2020, he celebrated his 56th birthday. He will turn 58 this June.
When did Borish Johnson have Covid?
Boris Johnson announced he tested positive for Covid on Friday, March 27, 2020.
He initially reported having "mild symptoms", but by April 6, he was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London, 11 days after his symptoms began.
He was discharged from hospital on April 12, 2020.
What does this report mean for the partygate inquiry?
This latest revelation could provide further fuel for Sue Gray's partygate inquiry, which is expected to be published next week. One of the events was for James Slack, the PM's departing director of communications, which was held in the press area and then the garden.
He has apologised for the bash. He said in a statement: “This event should not have happened at the time that it did. I am deeply sorry, and take full responsibility.”
Mr Johnson appeared visibly distressed when he told reporters that he had apologised to the Queen over the parties.
"I deeply and bitterly regret that that happened," he told reporters last week.
"I can only renew my apologies both to Her Majesty and to the country for misjudgments that were made, and for which I take full responsibility.''
The revelations about the parties last week sparked a major backlash, compounding the Prime Minister's woes as he battles for his own survival. The claim that an aide was dispatched to the Co-op supermarket on The Strand to fill a suitcase with wine was widely mocked. Last week, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “It is deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning. No 10 has apologised to the Palace."
Government guidance at the time warned: “You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble. You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households."
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