- Dominic Cummings immediately claimed there have been 'socially distanced drinks' in No10
- PM's former aide mentioned occasion befell on Could 20, 2020 and he warned towards it
- Mentioned 'cheese and wine' gathering on Could 15 was not a celebration and was inside guidelines
Dominic Cummings immediately claimed one other Covid rule-busting 'socially distanced drinks' occasion was held within the Quantity 10 backyard on Could 20, 2020, as he accused Boris Johnson of telling 'a number of lies' about gatherings.
Mr Johnson's former chief aide mentioned he had warned the alleged occasion 'gave the impression to be towards the principles and mustn't occur' however he was 'ignored'.
In the meantime, Mr Cummings mentioned a a lot publicised 'cheese and wine' gathering within the backyard on Could 15, 2020, was throughout the guidelines.
A leaked {photograph} first printed by The Guardian confirmed Mr Cummings sat at a desk with Mr Johnson and Mrs Johnson whereas a bunch of aides have been within the background.
Mr Cummings mentioned in a brand new weblog submit that 'the scene on the terrace was in no sense a "party" or "organised drinks" as a result of 'many conferences had been going down within the backyard all day'.
The brand new accusation of a social gathering in Quantity 10 on Could 20 is more likely to reignite a livid political row over alleged rule-breaking events inside Whitehall as a Cupboard Workplace probe centred on a December 18 Downing Avenue occasion continues.
Mr Cummings stepped up his disagreement with Mr Johnson as he mentioned: 'Clearly the PM has informed a number of lies about events in December 2020 and compelled or inspired others to inform the media unfaithful issues.'
Senior civil servant Sue Grey's investigations into alleged rule-breaking events in Downing Avenue will embrace claims about occasions within the No 10 backyard on Could 15 and Could 20 2020, it's understood.
The leaked photograph of the Could 15 gathering confirmed Mr Johnson, Mrs Johnson and 17 different employees members within the backyard, with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard on a desk in entrance of the PM.
Mr Cummings immediately confirmed that he's pictured sitting reverse the Prime Minister within the {photograph}.
However he wrote: 'It's alleged by many who this reveals 'a celebration', 'rule breaking' and so forth. That is flawed.
'I had a number of conferences at that desk that day. Earlier than this photograph the PM, me and others had a gathering at that desk.
'The assembly ended roughly 6-630. The PM and I continued speaking because it broke up. Somebody introduced a bottle of wine out to the desk.'
He added: 'The scene on the terrace was in no sense a 'occasion' or 'organised drinks'. Many conferences had been going down within the backyard all day.'
Mr Cummings mentioned it was 'widespread sense' for conferences to happen open air due to the continued pandemic.
However he mentioned 'there was a social occasion Could 2020 that ought to not have occurred'.
He wrote: 'On Wednesday 20 Could, the week after this photograph, a senior No10 official invited folks to 'socially distanced drinks' within the backyard.
'I and no less than one different spad (in writing so Sue Grey can dig up the unique electronic mail and the warning) mentioned that this gave the impression to be towards the principles and mustn't occur.
'We have been ignored. I used to be unwell and went dwelling to mattress early that afternoon however am informed this occasion positively occurred.'
The Authorities has confronted quite a few accusations of rule-breaking gatherings being held throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
It has beforehand been alleged {that a} Christmas occasion was held in Downing Avenue on December 18, 2020.
That occasion reportedly noticed officers and advisers make speeches, get pleasure from a cheese board, drink collectively and trade Secret Santa presents, though the Prime Minister will not be thought to have attended.
That occasion is on the coronary heart of an investigation being led by senior civil servant Sue Grey, which is analyzing the allegations of lockdown-breaking events throughout Whitehall.