TWO fridges installed in Downing Street during the year of the lockdown-breaching parties
Downing Street officials installed two new fridges in the year of the infamous lockdown parties, it can be revealed.
Both of the new coolers were funded by the taxpayer, paymaster general Michael Ellis confirmed.
But he ruled out that any public finds were spent on the now infamous ‘wine-time Fridays’ fridge that was pictured being wheeled into Number 10 during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown in December 2020.
In a House of Commons written question Labour shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry asked whether public funds were used to buy fridges in the financial year 2020-2021.
Mr Ellis said: ‘One refrigerator was purchased in the financial year for a Downing Street meeting room, and one to replace an existing refrigerator that had reached the end of its working operation.’
But he denied that the fridge which was now subject to the inquiry by civil servant Sue Gray was one of the two purchases.
Downing Street officials installed two new fridges in the year of the infamous lockdown parties, it can be revealed. Both of the new coolers were funded by the taxpayer, paymaster general Michael Ellis confirmed. Pictured: A 34-bottle drinks fridge (pictured right) was delivered by a delivery driver (left) through the back door of Downing Street on December 11, 2020, while indoor socialising was banned.
He said: ‘I can confirm that no such public expenditure was accrued in relation to the matters considered in the investigations by the Second Permanent Secretary or connected with associated media reports on this matter.’
Last month a picture emerged of a £142 chiller being delivered to the backdoor of Downing Street on December 11, 2020.
Staff attending regular ‘wine-time Fridays’ throughout the pandemic invested in the fridge to keep their bottles of white wine, Prosecco and beer cool.
Sources told the Daily Mirror last month that the Prime Minister encouraged aides to ‘let off steam’ despite indoor socialising being banned under lockdown rules.
Reports that staff took a suitcase to a supermarket to stock up on booze ahead of a party on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral were not a one off.
When the fridge was delivered in December 2020, rules banned two or more people from different households from meeting indoors, unless ‘reasonably necessary’ for work purposes.
Sue Gray delivered her interim report into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings last week. She said there was a failure of leadership and organisational change was needed in Downing Street.
Mr Ellis (pictured last month) ruled out that any public finds were spent on the now infamous ‘wine-time Fridays’ fridge that was pictured being wheeled into Number 10 during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown
It also said ‘at least some’ of the gatherings were ‘a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government, but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time.’
Among the 12 parties being investigated by police is the so-called ‘Abba’ party in Boris and Carrie Johnson’s private flat on the night in November 2020 when Dominic Cummings left his post.
Sue Gray’s full report will not be made public until Scotland Yard has completed its own investigation into potential breaches of lockdown regulations.
Last week, a witness was said to have told Ms Gray that the PM was seen going upstairs towards what was described as the ‘victory party’ after Mr Cummings’ resignation.
Mr Johnson had previously denied a party to celebrate Mr Cummings’ exit ever took place. But last week he refused to comment on if he was in the flat drinking with Carrie and her pals that night.
Police, who are already sifting through 300 photos – some said to include the PM – and 500 documents, would be able to confirm his attendance using CCTV and a keypad to the flat’s door, insiders have said.
Detectives are poring over a dossier of 300 Partygate photos with an alleged Abba bash in the No11 flat now one of 12 under investigation. Pictured: Mr Johnson and Carrie at the Eden Project in June 2021
The government guidance as of April 2021 included clear limits on socialising indoors and outdoors
Sue Gray delivered her interim report into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings last week. She said there was a failure of leadership and organisational change was needed in Downing Street
The PM is also said to have given a short speech at another boozy bash on January 14, 2021. It was held to mark the departure of a Downing Street staff member. It occurred despite the fact the country was in the midst of the strict post-Christmas lockdown.
Another leaving party was held on December 17, 2020, described in Sue Gray’s partygate report as a ‘gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a No 10 official’.
The Telegraph reported the official was Captain Steve Higham, then a private secretary to the PM advising on defence and national security.
Johnson attended the party and gave a speech, it is understood, but he left after a few minutes.
The party came a day after tier three rules were implemented in London, meaning people could not mix inside with anyone not in their home or support bubble.
Capt Higham, who is now Commanding Officer of the HMS Prince of Wales, enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Johnson, who even took part in interviews to find his replacement.
The parties were listed in a version of Ms Gray’s report released last Monday – but the details only emerged later.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the police ‘will determine the ultimate truth of this matter’ after new allegations over lockdown parties in Downing Street. Mr Gove told BBC Breakfast: ‘There’s a limit to what I can say because there’s an ongoing Met Police investigation.’
Another party being investigated by police took place on June 18, 2020, to mark the departure of No 10 private secretary Hannah Young, who left to take up the role of deputy consul general in New York, according to The Telegraph.
It is understood 20 people attended and alcohol was drunk by the party guests, with one source claiming the party was ‘raucous’.
At the time, indoor gatherings were forbidden, while six people were allowed to meet outside.
One of the guests is believed to have been Martin Reynolds, who until the weekend was Mr Johnson’s Principal Private Secretary.
He reportedly contacted senior advisers asking whether to hold a leaving drinks for Ms Young.
As part of Sue Gray’s probe, a number of No 10 staff are believed to have been interviewed about the party.