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Downing Street party: What were the Covid rules at the time? Downing Street party: What were the Covid rules at the time?
(about 16 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for a video where senior No 10 staff joked about holding a Christmas party last December.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for a video where senior No 10 staff joked about holding a Christmas party last December.
Mr Johnson says he was "repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken" and has ordered an investigation into exactly what happened. Mr Johnson says he was "repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken" but has ordered an investigation into exactly what happened.
What's the row about?What's the row about?
The Daily Mirror first reported last week that a party took place in Downing Street last December.The Daily Mirror first reported last week that a party took place in Downing Street last December.
Downing Street insisted no party took place and that "Covid rules have been followed at all times". A number of ministers appeared on television and radio to repeat the denials.Downing Street insisted no party took place and that "Covid rules have been followed at all times". A number of ministers appeared on television and radio to repeat the denials.
But a source has confirmed to the BBC that there was a party on 18 December, with "several dozen" people in attendance.But a source has confirmed to the BBC that there was a party on 18 December, with "several dozen" people in attendance.
A video - obtained by ITV News - shows a recording of a rehearsal on 22 December for Downing Street's proposed media briefings.A video - obtained by ITV News - shows a recording of a rehearsal on 22 December for Downing Street's proposed media briefings.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
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Watch: Video obtained by ITV News shows Downing Street staff joking about a No 10 Christmas party during a mock press conferenceWatch: Video obtained by ITV News shows Downing Street staff joking about a No 10 Christmas party during a mock press conference
In the video, the prime minister's then-press secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a party. She jokes: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."In the video, the prime minister's then-press secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a party. She jokes: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."
Ms Stratton has resigned and said she would "regret the remarks for the rest of my days".Ms Stratton has resigned and said she would "regret the remarks for the rest of my days".
The prime minister has asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate the party. Downing Street has declined to comment on whether he attended it. The prime minister has asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate the party.
And at a government briefing Boris Johnson said: "To the best of my knowledge we have followed the rules throughout."
What were the Covid rules at the time?What were the Covid rules at the time?
Any party at Downing Street would have breached the government's guidelines at the time.Any party at Downing Street would have breached the government's guidelines at the time.
Its guidance for the Christmas period specifically said: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."Its guidance for the Christmas period specifically said: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."
This same line was also tweeted out by the official gov.uk account on 17 December 2021 in response to a question about whether Christmas parties were allowed in the workplace.This same line was also tweeted out by the official gov.uk account on 17 December 2021 in response to a question about whether Christmas parties were allowed in the workplace.
London at the time was in Tier 3 (it went into Tier 4 on 21 December) and the law banned gatherings of two or more people indoors unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.London at the time was in Tier 3 (it went into Tier 4 on 21 December) and the law banned gatherings of two or more people indoors unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.
There was also a specific prohibition on organising an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.There was also a specific prohibition on organising an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.
But there may have theoretically been a legal loophole for government buildings like 10 Downing Street because of the 1984 legislation used to bring in the tier system, according to Adam Wagner - a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an expert on Covid regulations.But there may have theoretically been a legal loophole for government buildings like 10 Downing Street because of the 1984 legislation used to bring in the tier system, according to Adam Wagner - a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an expert on Covid regulations.
Another barrister, Charles Holland from Trinity Chambers, tweeted that there would have needed to be an agreement with Westminster City Council for the regulations to apply in Downing Street.Another barrister, Charles Holland from Trinity Chambers, tweeted that there would have needed to be an agreement with Westminster City Council for the regulations to apply in Downing Street.
We have asked Westminster City Council to confirm whether this was the case, but they have yet to respond.We have asked Westminster City Council to confirm whether this was the case, but they have yet to respond.
What have the police said?
The Metropolitan Police says it is not currently investigating the allegations.
"Based on the absence of evidence and in line with our policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of such regulations, the Met will not commence an investigation at this time," it said.
Were there other parties?Were there other parties?
There are multiple reports of another party taking place on 27 November, which is understood to have been a leaving party for Cleo Watson, a former aide to Dominic Cummings. As well as the 18 December party, there are multiple reports that several other events that took place:
Boris Johnson is reported to have made a speech at that event, mentioning how crowded it was in the room. 13 November: Sources told the BBC that several Downing Street staff members attended a gathering with Carrie Johnson in the flat where the prime minister and his wife live. A source said music was blaring and could be heard elsewhere in the building. But others said to be at the party denied it took place, as did a spokeswoman for Mrs Johnson. It was the same date that Dominic Cummings left as chief adviser to the PM.
At that point there was still a national lockdown in force, which ended on 2 December. Indoor gatherings were also not allowed in lockdown. 27 November: Another No 10 aide, Cleo Watson, left Downing Street marked by an event. Again, sources said it was not formally organised, but people were having drinks and Mr Johnson made a speech.
Several sources have told the BBC about a Christmas quiz that took place at Downing Street around the same time as the 18 December party, with some people participating virtually but other groups present in person. 10 December: The Department for Education has confirmed it had a gathering in the office to thank staff for their work during the pandemic. Drinks and snacks were brought by those who attended and no outside guests or support staff were invited.
And the Department for Education has said of a gathering for staff in December 2020 with drinks and snacks that "we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time". 14 December: The Conservatives have confirmed a report in the Times that there was an "unauthorised social gathering" in the basement of their party's building, held by the team of the London mayoral candidate at the time, Shaun Bailey. It was described as "raucous" and was attended by No 10 aides, with dancing and drinking going on into the early hours.
The cabinet secretary will also be investigating the DfE party. December: Multiple sources have told the BBC there was a Christmas quiz for No 10 staff in the Cabinet Office at some point in December. Invites were sent out in advance via email, telling people to form teams of six. Downing Street has said it was a "virtual gathering" but while some joined in that way, sources said there were groups in the room sat in their teams.
It was initially thought Mr Case would only be looking at the 18 December event and the Department for Education gathering, but both the prime minister and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have indicated he would be free to look at other alleged events.
What happened to people who broke the rules?What happened to people who broke the rules?
Thousands of of people were fined for breaking rules on gatherings last year, according to figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council.Thousands of of people were fined for breaking rules on gatherings last year, according to figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Between March 2020 and January 2021:Between March 2020 and January 2021:
2,982 fines were issued in England for participating in a gathering inside a house or any indoor space in a Tier 3 area.2,982 fines were issued in England for participating in a gathering inside a house or any indoor space in a Tier 3 area.
250 fines were issued in England for holding a gathering of more than 30 people250 fines were issued in England for holding a gathering of more than 30 people
At the time, large parties could be shut down by the police - with fines of up to £10,000. Examples include:At the time, large parties could be shut down by the police - with fines of up to £10,000. Examples include:
The organiser of a party in High Wycombe, attended by about 200 people, was fined last DecemberThe organiser of a party in High Wycombe, attended by about 200 people, was fined last December
More than 100 people attended a party in Northampton, also in December. The organiser was given a £10,000 fineMore than 100 people attended a party in Northampton, also in December. The organiser was given a £10,000 fine
In February, a woman was fined £10,000 for organising a birthday party, attended by more than 30 people in OrmskirkIn February, a woman was fined £10,000 for organising a birthday party, attended by more than 30 people in Ormskirk
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