On Tuesday night, staff who were fined for attending parties during the Covid blockade accused Boris Johnson of avoiding responsibility for the events.
The Prime Minister was only fined once by the Met, while some No. 10 staff members received up to five notices of fixed penalties for their attendance at parties.
Employees said they were assured that Downing Street had checked with the government’s Covid working group to see if the drinking events taking place in the building were legal, and noted Mr Johnson’s attendance as evidence. which were considered acceptable at the time.
Sue Gray’s “partygate” report, which is expected to be released on Wednesday, is likely to contain the names of senior officials he believes were responsible for 16 events that took place on Downing Street and the Cabinet Office.
The festivities include a “bring your own drink” event hosted by Martin Reynolds, Mr. Johnson.
“The bottom line is that the private office, and Martin Reynolds in particular, was expected to check with the Covid Taskforce to make sure things were in order,” an event attendee told break the lock. Telegraph.
“I think if you are a member of the team, especially a junior member, and the private office tells you to come to an event with the Prime Minister, you have every right to believe that the event you have been to. go to is within the Covid guidelines.
“These people worked incredibly hard, but they feel that the Prime Minister has abandoned them and let them take the rap while he was in Parliament saying, ‘I would never do any of this.’ It’s outrageous.”
The Panorama program contained similar allegations by former staff members. One told the show that No. 10 experts were left in disbelief when they heard Mr. Johnson tell lawmakers that there was no party.
“We were watching it all live and we looked a little incredulous at how – why? Why do you deny it?” said the insider.
Another attendee described Mr. Reynolds’ email inviting staff to the garden party as “foolish,” saying, “I think people knew it would be a problem if you went out.”
Another former employee described Sue Gray’s investigation and the Met Police investigation as a “witch hunt” against junior employees.