It is reported that two gatherings were held in the same night.
Downing Street staff drank alcohol at a party the night before Prince Philip's socially-distanced funeral, reports
the Telegraph.
Queen Elizabeth II was famously forced to sit alone to mourn her husband, in line with the Covid regulations at the time.
On 16 April, 2021, the UK mourned the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Union Jack flags hung at half-mast on Government buildings across Westminster to mark the funeral.
With the country under lockdown regulations, which banned indoor mixing, mourners were warned not to leave flowers due to the Covid threat. A book of condolences was set up online instead.
At the Prince's funeral, the Queen, whose face was covered by a black face mask, said goodbye to her husband of 73 years with nobody to comfort her during the service.
Now it is alleged that the night before, staff at Downing Street gathered for two separate events to mark the departure of two colleagues – one of whom was James Slack, the Prime Minister's director of communications, and the other was one of Boris Johnson's personal photographers.
According to the Telegraph, eye-witnesses claim that alcohol was drunk, while, at points, guests danced to music.
The gatherings reportedly went on until after midnight, with another source saying that it was – undeniably – a party.
At this time, the UK Government’s official guidance read:
“You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.
"You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households.”
Boris Johnson was not in Downing Street that day, according to a No 10 spokesman, after he had departed for Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country house, on Thursday evening.
Around 30 people are thought to have attended at both gatherings combined.
Sources claim that an individual was sent to a shop with an empty suitcase, which was then filled with bottles of wine and brought back to Downing Street
.
It comes after Boris Johnson finally admitted he attended the No 10 'bring your own booze' party during the height of the first lockdown as he offered his "heartfelt apologies".
https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1481245160004591616
