By Tony O’Riley-
An official investigation into government staff parties is to be conducted about three parties that took place last year.
The parties were held in Downing Street on 27 November and 18 December, and at the education department on 10 December, in contravention of Cocid regulations. They will all be examined for Covid rule breaches.
Paymaster General Michael Ellis (pictured)said any potential criminality uncovered would be reported to the police- an empty statement unlikely to have any backbone.
The Metropolitan police has already said it found no evidence of criminality in relation to the parties, adding that it would take no further action.
Fresh restrictions imposed on the Uk on Wednesday, following the leakage of a video and other revelations have been criticised as ‘diversionary tactics’, which lack credibility.
Prime minister, Boris Johnson, said they rules were necessary because of evidence surrounding the Omicron variant, but several critics have question the legitimacy of the rules. Theyare yet to be passed through parliament before they are made law.
Labour called for the prime minister to resign if he is found to have misled MPs about the parties.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Fleur Anderson questioned whether the investigation was “serious” and whether more parties needed to be included in it.
Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that an inquiry would be carried out by top civil servant Simon Case, after a video from last year emerged of government staff joking about a party that took place on 18 December – a day on which more than 400 Covid deaths were reported.
Government spokeswoman Allegra Stratton resigned later on Wednesday over the video, obtained by ITV News, in which she appeared.
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson said he had been “repeatedly assured” that “there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken” on that date – at which time London was under Covid rules banning people from meeting indoors.
But he said he had asked Mr Case to “establish all the facts” and that if rules had been broken those responsible would face disciplinary action.
The 10 December gathering took place during the same period of restrictions, while on 27 November England was in full lockdown.Mr Ellis announced the terms of Mr Case’s investigation to the House of Commons on Thursday, saying it would aim to find out who attended the parties.
He added: “As with all internal investigations if, during the course of the work any evidence emerges of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence, the matter will be referred to the police and the Cabinet Office’s work may be paused.”
Mr Ellis also said: “All ministers, special advisers and civil servants will be expected to cooperate with this investigation.”
But Mr Case will not look into reports of social gatherings in Downing Street on 13 November or a party at Conservative Party headquarters on 14 December, over which four members of staff have been disciplined.
The prime minister has repeatedly said no Covid rules were broken in Downing Street, but Ms Anderson asked: “If this investigation finds out that the prime minister has misled the House, will he resign?”
She also asked: “Are there more parties that we need to hear about?”
“People across the country are angry,” Ms Anderson said, adding: “Will the government just be straight with the British people?”
One of them, Bob Blackman, told the Commons: “One of the key issues here is those that are making draconian rules not only have to live by the letter of the rules but by the spirit of the rules as well.”
Another, Philip Hollobone, said: “My constituents are very angry indeed about reports of Christmas parties in Downing Street during what was a very large second wave of Covid, and the behaviour was totally inappropriate and possibly criminal.”
A number of other events are known or reported to have taken place during Covid restrictions last year, including the three being investigated by Mr Case.
Sources told the BBC that several Downing Street staff members, on November 13, attended a gathering with Carrie Johnson in the flat where the prime minister and his wife live above No 11 after exits. 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.
On November 27, another party was allegedly held afer a 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. Mr Cummings has tweeted that no party took place on this date.
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 attendes, and no outside guests or support staff were invited.
The Conservatives have confirmed reports 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”. Four Tory staff members have been disciplined.
18 December 2020: The now infamous Downing Street Christmas party took place on this date, as first reported by the Mirror. A source told the BBC there was food, drinks and games at the gathering that went on past midnight.
Another December party: We are still trying to pin down the date of this one, but multiple sources have told the BBC there was a Christmas quiz for No 10 staff in the Cabinet Office, with invitations sent out in advance via email, telling people to form teams of six. Downing Street says it was a “virtual gathering” but sources at the event say there were groups sat together in the room.