Senior Conservatives warn Boris Johnson not to appoint an official to the heart of the Partygate scandal for top-level diplomatic work after it became known that the man was lined up to be the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Saudi Arabia.
Martin Reynolds left Johnson’s post as chief private secretary in February following outrage at Partygate. He left after an email surfaced in which he had invited hundreds of Whitehall staff to a “bring your own drink” party to the Downing Street Garden in May 2020.
Sue Gray’s confinement party report last week revealed Reynolds’ most embarrassing emails, which were mentioned 24 times in his long-awaited consultation. In the most condemned, he points out that it seems that the drinks in the garden of number 10 have been “smiled”, although it has been warned that such an event was a “risk in the current environment”.
An official responded to his suggestion of a party with: “Just to indicate that the press conference is likely to end at this time, so it’s useful if people can keep that in mind when the speakers and cameras go out. , not walking, shaking bottles of wine, etc. ” At that press conference, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the audience, “You can meet someone outside your home in an open-air public place as long as you stay two feet away.”
The recruitment process to find the new Saudi ambassador is underway and no appointment has been made. Reynolds, however, emerged as the favorite for the job, with a final decision from Johnson. Prior to working directly for the Prime Minister, Reynolds had been ambassador to Libya and was expected to return to a diplomatic post.
Some Conservatives believe the appointment should not be allowed to pass, as Reynolds admitted he knew officials were violating Covid’s rules by having the party in the garden.
“The ambassador represents the queen,” said a senior figure. “It is quite extraordinary that someone who has deliberately and knowingly violated the law is appointed to represent it. No 10 workers were ‘essential workers’ because the office is the strategic headquarters of the United Kingdom. It is extraordinary that the government risks the ability to the strategic headquarters risking one [Covid] an outbreak that completely shut down the building, leaving the UK without a guide. “
If Reynolds is sent to Riyadh, he is unlikely to host a party with alcohol: alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia and he has recently ruled out any idea of lifting the ban as a way to boost his industry. tourist. The Foreign Ministry warns that “sanctions for possession or trade in alcohol are severe” in the country.
He approached the government for comment.