Boris Johnson attended a booze event in the garden of the Prime Minister's residence less than an hour after a senior minister warned Britons that social gatherings were not allowed.
More than 100 staff in Number 10 were invited to an event organised by the head of the prime minister's private office when England was subject to restrictions.
The position of Martin Reynolds, Johnson's principal private secretary, was in jeopardy after a leaked email showed he urged staff to "Make the most of the lovely weather".
Johnson's attendance at the event on May 20 2020, confirmed by multiple people and not denied by Downing Street, is expected to prompt fresh criticism of his leadership, which has been rocked by media reports of a series of allegedly illegal government parties.
The parties that broke the coronaviruses restrictions in England were not held in the office of the prime minister.
Reynolds told Number 10 staff in the email that he was here. We thought it would be nice to have some drinks in the No 10 garden this evening after a busy period. Bring your own booze when you join us from 6pm.
The event in the garden was attended by about 40 people, including Johnson and his wife.
One witness said that it was clearly a violation of the rules. People were drinking and sitting together. Boris and Carrie were there. The majority of the 40 people there were Number 10 staff.
The culture secretary held a briefing on Covid-19 in 10 Downing St on May 20 2020 in which he stressed the restrictions on social gatherings.
Less than an hour before drinks and picnic food were to be served, the culture secretary held a press conference in which he indicated that such events were not allowed in England.
Under Covid regulations, only one other person was allowed to meet outside. Johnson had introduced fines for rule-breakers, starting at £100 and doubling for each offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
If you stay two metres apart, you can meet one person outside of your household.
Sue Gray, a senior official in the government, is investigating the garden party and other events that broke Covid restrictions. It would be a proper investigation, Johnson said on Monday.
Johnson is expected to be interviewed by Gray by the end of the month. While the inquiry was under way, the office of the prime minister said it was not commenting.
Reynolds is expected to be moved to a new position in the civil service. An official said he was going to be an ambassador.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday that it was aware of widespread reporting of health protection regulations at the prime minister's residence.
It's unbelievable. In another way, sadly all too believable.
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Theresa May's former chief of staff,Gavin Barwell.
The Metropolitan Police Service is in contact with the Cabinet Office.
If the Cabinet Office investigation produced any further evidence, the Met would examine it. During Covid restrictions, the police force declined to investigate media reports of Number 10 parties in November and December 2020.
The revelation that Johnson attended a garden party at the prime minister's house sent a shock through the Conservative party. One veteran said that he was back into a lot of trouble.
The gathering was described as unbelievable by the former prime minister's chief of staff. In another way, sadly all too believable.
Johnson was trying to make officials take the fall for their own mistakes, said Rayner. The leader of the Liberal Democrat said it was a kick in the teeth to people who stuck to the rules.
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