UK

Boris Johnson pictured with bottle of sparkling wine during Christmas quiz

Scotland Yard is facing calls to investigate another event in No 10 Downing Street

Boris Johnson said: ‘That event already has been submitted for investigation.’ Photograph: AFP via Getty Images)

Wed Feb 9 2022 - 15:22

Scotland Yard is facing calls to investigate another event in No 10 Downing Street for breaches of Covid rules after a picture emerged appearing to show Boris Johnson near a bottle of sparkling wine.

The Mirror published a photo showing the UK prime minister and staff — one wearing tinsel — near the uncorked bottle and an open bag of crisps during a Christmas quiz during coronavirus restrictions.

The event on December 15th 2020 is not one of those being investigated by the Metropolitan Police after officers were passed evidence from the Sue Gray inquiry.

Shadow minister Fabian Hamilton challenged Mr Johnson over the image published during prime minister's questions.

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The Labour MP said: "In the last few minutes a photo has emerged of the prime minister in Downing Street on December 15th, 2020 surrounded by alcohol, food and people wearing tinsel.

“It looks a lot like one of the Christmas parties he told us never happened.”

He added: “Will the prime minister be referring this party to the police as it is not one of the ones currently being investigated?”

Mr Johnson responded: “In what he has just said, I’m afraid he is completely in error.”

Challenged again during prime minister’s questions, Mr Johnson added: “That event already has been submitted for investigation.”

London was under Tier 2 restrictions at the time, which prohibited social mixing between different households indoors.

Official guidance 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.”

A separate image of the same quiz emerged in December but did not show any alcohol.

Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson's hostile former chief adviser, tweeted: "there's waaaaay better pics than that floating around, incl in the flat."

Adam Wagner, a human rights lawyer who has been examining Covid laws, said: "I think there is no longer any justification for the police not to investigate this event.

“I imagine the reason decided not to investigate this gathering is because the image was ambiguous — the PM may have dialled in but not have been himself participating in an illegal gathering. But now it seems obvious from the photo he himself is participating in a social gathering.”–PA

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