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LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson has
apologised for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering at
his official residence during Britain's first coronavirus
lockdown, and an internal inquiry is being carried out to
establish the facts.
British media have reported that at least 11 gatherings took
place at Johnson's 10 Downing Street residence or in other
government departments between May 2020 and April 2021, when
COVID-19 rules limited how many people could meet socially.
Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, is leading an inquiry. She
has not said when her findings will be published.
Below is a timeline of the party reports and what Johnson
has said about them:
Nov. 30 - First lockdown Christmas party report
The Mirror newspaper reports that Christmas parties took
place in government offices, including Johnson's own in Downing
Street, in December 2020, when such gatherings were banned.
Later media reports include a photo of Johnson hosting an
online Christmas quiz for his staff, seated alongside an
official draped in tinsel.
Dec. 1 - Johnson denial
Asked by the leader of the opposition Labour Party about
reports of a December 2020 Christmas party, Johnson tells
parliament: "All guidance was followed completely in No. 10."
Dec. 7 - Video of staff joking about party
ITV News publishes a leaked video showing Johnson's staff
laughing and joking during a mock news conference over how to
explain a gathering in Downing Street.
In the video, Allegra Stratton, then Johnson's press
secretary, says: "This fictional party was a business meeting,
and it was not socially distanced."
Dec. 8 - Johnson apologises, aide resigns
Johnson tells parliament: "I apologise unreservedly for the
offence that (the Stratton clip) has caused up and down the
country, and I apologise for the impression that it gives.
"I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations
emerged that there was no party and that no COVID rules were
broken... if those rules were broken, there will be disciplinary
action for all those involved."
Stratton resigns.
Dec. 9 - Details of inquiry published
The government says Britain's top civil servant, Simon Case,
will lead an inquiry into three alleged gatherings. After
additional media reports, it is broadened to cover further
gatherings.
Dec. 17 - Lead investigator steps down
Case steps down after reports that an event was held in his
own office. The government says the investigation will be
concluded by Gray.
Dec. 19 - Garden party photo published
The Guardian newspaper publishes a photograph of Johnson and
more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street
garden that it said was taken during lockdown on May 15, 2020.
Dec. 20 - Johnson says garden party was work
"Those were people at work talking about work," Johnson said
when asked about the Guardian picture.
Jan. 10 - Party invitation from Johnson's aide published
ITV publishes an email sent by Johnson's Principal Private
Secretary Martin Reynolds to over 100 Downing Street employees
on May 20, 2020, inviting them "after what has been an
incredibly busy period... (to) some socially distanced drinks in
the No10 garden this evening ... and bring your own booze!"
ITV said around 40 staff gathered, including Johnson and his
partner Carrie, even though at the time social mixing between
households was limited to two people outdoors.
Jan. 12 - PM says he attended lockdown gathering
Johnson tells parliament he attended a gathering on May 20,
2020, in the Downing Street garden and apologises.
"When I went into that garden... to thank groups of staff
before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue
working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event," he
said. His press secretary says he did not see Reynolds' email.
The Times newspaper cites Conservative lawmakers saying
Johnson later told them he did not believe he had personally
done anything wrong and said "we're taking hits for something we
don't deserve".
Jan. 13 - Police decline to investigate gatherings
British police say they will not investigate the Downing
Street gatherings unless Gray's inquiry finds evidence of
potential criminal offences.
Jan. 14 - PM apologises to Buckingham Palace
Johnson's office apologises to Queen Elizabeth after it
emerged staff partied late into the night in Downing Street on
the eve of her husband Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021,
when mixing indoors was banned. Johnson was at his country
residence that day, his spokesman says.
One of those parties was a leaving event for James Slack, a
former director of communications, who apologises and says the
gathering "should not have happened at the time that it did".
Jan. 17 - Former aide says Johnson knew about May 2020 party
Dominic Cummings, a former senior adviser to Johnson, says
he is willing to "swear under oath" the prime minister knew
about the May 20, 2020 party.
Cummings says he and at least one other adviser told
Reynolds the drinks should not go ahead and that this warning
was sent via email. According to Cummings, Reynolds said he
would check with Johnson if he was happy for the drinks to go
ahead, and he is sure Reynolds did so.
(Compiled by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Catherine Evans and
Gareth Jones)
