Boris Johnson hosted a lavish farewell bash at his Chequers retreat as he was accused of "clocking off" and treating Brits with "contempt".
Around 130 guests gathered at the PM's grace and favour mansion in Buckinghamshire yesterday, where they sipped English sparkling wine and enjoyed a barbecue in the sunshine.
Ultra-loyalist Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was among the guests spotted at the PM's leaving party, along with close allies Jacob Rees-Mogg and Conor Burns, who once said he was "ambushed by a cake".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, new Education Secretary James Cleverly and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey were also there alongside a string of senior Downing Street aides, according to Politico.
Cars were spotted lined up in rows in the fields outside the 16th Century mansion, while armed police patrolled the lanes nearby.
Mr Johnson reportedly gave a gag-filled speech, which delighted loyalists who bizarrely insisted it could have won him the next election.
“It was the sort of speech you could have imagined him delivering in 2024 and getting a mandate from the country with," a source told Politico.
"It was almost as if he was convincing those die-hard loyalists in front of him that he’s still the best man for the job."
Another said the speech was “incredible” and contained lots of laughter and tears, with guests asking each other “what the hell” critics had done in bringing him down.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said the party was a "private event".
Downing Street insisted taxpayers would not pick up the bill - though it is not yet clear if it will be funded by Mr Johnson personally or a private donor.
It comes as the Prime Minister skips three COBRA meetings on the heatwave, while finding time in his diary for several "jollies".
He filmed a selfie video in a Typhoon jet on Thursday and attended the Farnborough Air Show today.
Meanwhile, the PM and his wife Carrie are expected to host a separate bash later this month to celebrate their marriage.
The glitzy event had been due to be held at Chequers but the couple were forced to cancel it after a ferocious backlash at claims Mr Johnson was partly clinging onto power so he could have the party.
The Johnsons tied the knot at Westminster Cathedral last May, with a small party in the Downing Street garden in line with the Covid rules at the time.
Sadiq Khan said Boris Johnson is treating the British public with "contempt".
The Labour mayor of London said: "The Met Office for the first time ever have issued a level 4 red alert warning, the chief medical officer is advising everybody to be careful as a consequence of this extreme weather.
"The Prime Minister is hosting a lavish party at Chequers and obviously going on a joyride on a Typhoon plane.
"That's not what a Prime Minister should be doing.
"And if the Prime Minister wants to go on a jolly, he should leave Number 10 Downing Street, he should resign."
Downing Street defended Boris Johnson for not chairing Cobra meetings on the heatwave while finding time for fun.
Asked about Mr Johnson's Typhoon flight, the spokesman said: "The Typhoon's quick alert reaction role is an integral part of both UK and Nato security and the PM does have a specific role in directing RAF action in worst-case scenarios. So it is important he is aware of some of these capabilities they have."
Asked if he needs first-hand experience to understand this, the spokesman said: "It's important that he has a detailed understanding of the working capabilities of the RAF."
