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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
James Holt

Tory MP says Boris Johnson was 'ambushed with a cake' over party claims

A Conservative MP has said the Prime Minister was "ambushed with a cake" when, according to reports, a surprise get together was organised for his birthday back in June 2020.

It has been reported in recent days that Boris Johnson's wife Carrie Johnson was involved with organising a 'surprise birthday' get together on June 19, 2020, which 30 people had attended.

This would have been against the strict Coronavirus guidance at the time.

READ MORE Covid LIVE updates as Sue Gray report 'could be published tomorrow'

MP Conor Burns, a known ally of Boris Johnson, said the Prime Minister he had actually been “ambushed with a cake” in an interview with Channel 4 news.

Conservative Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns (PA)

He proceeded to add that it had not been an 'organised' party that the Prime Minister had decided to have to celebrate his birthday.

The Northern Ireland minister told Channel 4 News: “It was not a premeditated, organised party in that sense, that the Prime Minister himself decided to have.

“As far as I can see, he was, in a sense, ambushed with a cake.

“They came to his office with a cake, they sang Happy Birthday, he was there for 10 minutes.

“I don’t think most people looking at that at home would characterise that as a party.”

The surprise party - attended by 30 people - was organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room after a meeting. (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The news comes after Mr Johnson admitted he had a birthday celebration inside No 10 during the first lockdown, despite social mixing indoors being banned.

The surprise party - attended by 30 people - was organised by his wife Carrie in the Cabinet Room after a meeting.

Guests reportedly ate M&S nibbles and presented Mr Johnson with a cake as they sung 'happy birthday'.

A No 10 spokeswoman 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 10 minutes.”

Boris Johnson was said to have been 'ambushed with a cake' in the 10 minutes he attended the bash (Getty Images)

The latest revelation is just one of a series of claims of rule-breaking parties in No 10 that senior civil servant Sue Gray has been tasked with investigating.

Reports have suggested that Sue Gray's inquiry into a number of alleged parties held in Downing Street will not be published while the Metropolitan Police also investigate.

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