Uk lockdown4/17/2023 The images, obtained by ITV News, prompted fresh claims from opposition lawmakers that Johnson had knowingly misled Parliament when he previously told the House of Commons that no rules had been broken. Gray's full report comes after even more revelations in recent days of further alcohol-fueled social events held at Downing Street during Covid lockdowns, with Johnson pictured raising a glass at a leaving do on Nov. The report found "some brought pizza and prosecco" to the event, while Helen MacNamara, then deputy Cabinet secretary, provided a karaoke machine, which was set up in an adjoining office. On June 18, 2020, Gray said a number of Downing Street officials attended a gathering at the Cabinet secretary's private waiting room. At an alcohol-fueled quiz held three days earlier, one Downing Street official sent a message to advise staff to leave via the back exit to avoid being photographed by the press. ![]() This was unacceptable."Ĭleaners gave evidence of wine being spilled over one wall and on a number of boxes of photocopier paper following a "Wine Time Friday" event on Dec. I was made aware of multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff. Gray said some staff "had witnessed or been subjected to behaviours at work which they had felt concerned about but at times felt unable to raise properly. One shows Johnson's June 19, 2020, birthday party for which the prime minister, his partner Carrie and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak were fined by police, and the other shows Johnson at a leaving do for Director of Communications Lee Cain. There are nine photographs of two separate events published in the report. Gray said in Wednesday's full report that she was "pleased progress is being made in addressing the issues." "Even allowing for the extraordinary pressures officials and advisers were under, the factual findings of this report illustrate some attitudes and behaviours inconsistent with that guidance." "Whatever the initial intent, what took place at many of these gatherings and the way in which they developed was not in line with Covid guidance at the time," the report said. ![]() Gray's report reaffirmed the findings in her initial, redacted report from late January, which sharply criticized government leadership. currency was last seen down 0.2% at $1.2501 during afternoon deals. dollar shortly after the report was published. Sterling fell to a session low against the U.S. Only then can the government function again, only then can the rot be carved out, only then can we restore the dignity of that great office and the democracy that it represents." You cannot be a lawmaker and a lawbreaker," Starmer said. They must tell the current inhabitant, their leader that this has gone on too long. "Members opposite must finally do their bit. Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the report is a "monument to the hubris and the arrogance of a government that believed it was one rule for them, and another rule for everyone else." "I hope very much that now that she has reported, we will be able to move on and focus on the priorities of the British people," Johnson said. The prime minister said he was "appalled" by behavior at lockdown parties but defended attending some leaving dos. Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, Johnson thanked Gray for her work and said he takes "full responsibility" for everything that happened on his watch. The Metropolitan Police's investigation resulted in 126 fines to 83 people. Gray had launched an inquiry following media reports of gatherings and alleged parties in government buildings during Covid lockdowns over a 20-month period.Ī full version of the report had been delayed due to a separate police inquiry. ![]() "At least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time." In a damning verdict, Gray said senior leadership "must bear responsibility for this culture." "One individual was sick" and a "minor altercation" occurred between two others, the report said. On this occasion, the event lasted for several hours and there was excessive alcohol consumption by some. It lays out in embarrassing detail how several events unfolded, including one leaving party on June 18 when a gathering of two or more persons indoors in England was prohibited.
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