In May 2020, the British imposed very strict restrictions to curb the infection of the coronavirus. It was only allowed to meet another person outdoors.
It was then that around 100 employees at the Prime Minister’s office are said to have received an invitation from the Prime Minister’s private secretary. ITV has obtained it:
“After what has been an incredibly busy time, we think it will be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have a few drinks in the distance in the garden in number 10 tonight. Arrived from kl. 1800 and bring your own drink. Martin. »
ITV has seen the e-mail with the party invitation which is said to have gone out to around 100 people.
Photo: Screenshot from ITV
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Martin Reynolds is Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s private secretary and a senior staff member at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The party was held on May 20. Finger food and drink were laid out on a table in the garden. Not all the guests came. According to the BBC, around 30 people were present at the party. ITV writes that they were 40, and that both Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson were among them.
Even Johnson refuses to confirm or deny that he was at the party. He refers to the ongoing investigation of the other festivities that were held in and around the government while the country was shut down due to the coronavirus.
The police are looking into the matter
But London police have confirmed that they are in contact with the government about the case. The email invitation can be an important proof.
State Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Edward Argar, is the one who has had to front the government’s defense in the media.
He tells the BBC that he understands people’s anger, sadness and that people are upset about the allegations. But add that it is important to wait with some conclusion until the ongoing investigation of other festivities in Downing Street is completed.
Strong reactions
The unveiling of the garden party in May 2020 creates strong reactions.
– If this really happens, was the reaction from one of the guests. The person in question asked the question to one of the others on the invitation list, writes BBC.
The broadcaster has also seen other guests’ reactions:
– Eh. Why does Martin encourage a mass event in the garden?
Several relatives who lost their loved ones during the period the party was held, say in various British media that they are strongly provoked.
They themselves were not allowed to visit mothers, fathers and other relatives who were dying. While they died alone, the prime minister and his staff must have partyed.
Calling the Prime Minister a liar
The opposition Labor Party believes it is very serious if it is true that Boris Johnson himself was present.
Labor deputy Angela Rayner
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– If he broke the law, it will be up to the police to deal with it. No one is above the law. People were not allowed to go to funerals, they could not meet friends and family. They feel disgust at the fact that Boris Johnson not only apparently broke his own rules, but also lied to people. This is completely unacceptable and not what we expect from the British Prime Minister, says Deputy Angela Rayner to ITV.
Labor demands that Johnson come to the House of Commons and explain himself on the matter. It could be a tough round for the British Prime Minister in Question Time there tomorrow.
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