In case you missed it (!), final night time The Telegraph (paywall) published reports that employees inside No 10 held two employees leaving dos that includes alcohol, and one with loud music, on the night earlier than Prince Philip’s socially distanced funeral in April final 12 months.
Eyewitnesses advised the paper a mixed complete of about 30 folks took half in what seemed to be social occasions in several components of Downing Road, earlier than each gatherings mixed within the backyard.
In line with one attender, a employees member was despatched with a suitcase to the Co-op on the Strand, a brief stroll away, returning with the case crammed with bottles of wine.
Boris Johnson was not at Downing Road that night, having gone to Chequers, the prime ministerial nation retreat, on the Thursday night and remaining into the weekend.
On the time, England was in stage two of the federal government’s gradual leisure from lockdown. As much as six folks or two households may meet outdoors, whereas indoors, folks may solely socialise with their family or help bubble.
One of many occasions at No 10 marked the departure from authorities of James Slack, who was the prime minister’s official spokesperson beneath each Theresa Could and Johnson, earlier than turning into Johnson’s director of communications, in line with the Telegraph. He’s now deputy editor of the Solar.
The opposite was for considered one of Johnson’s private photographers, the paper reported. Witnesses advised the Telegraph that the occasion to mark the photographer’s departure primarily passed off within the basement space of No 10, with loud music enjoying.
Each teams reportedly moved outdoors round midnight, with consuming carrying on into the early hours of the morning. Whereas within the backyard one attender broke a swing belonging to Johnson’s toddler son, Wilfred, a witness advised the paper.
Extra on that story right here: Two Downing Street parties held evening before Prince Philip’s funeral – reports