BBC News Reality Check 9 December 2021
An investigation by the Cabinet Secretary will examine three allegations of gatherings last Christmas - including two in Downing Street - despite Covid rules banning them.
Mr Johnson says he was "repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken".
The Daily Mirror first reported last week that a party took place in Downing Street on 18 December last year.
Downing Street insisted no party took place and that "Covid rules have been followed at all times". A number of ministers appeared on television and radio to repeat the denials.
But a source has confirmed to the BBC that there was a party, with "several dozen" people in attendance.
A video - obtained by ITV News - showed a recording of a rehearsal on 22 December for Downing Street's proposed media briefings.
In the video, the prime minister's then-press secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a party. She jokes: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."
Ms Stratton has resigned.
Were there other parties last year?
As well as the 18 December party, there are multiple reports that several other events that took place.
13 November: Sources told the BBC that several Downing Street staff members attended a gathering with Carrie Johnson in the flat where the prime minister and his wife live. 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. It was the same date that Dominic Cummings left as chief adviser to the PM.
27 November: Another 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.
10 December: 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 those who attended and no outside guests or support staff were invited.
14 December: The Conservatives have confirmed a report in the Times 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" and was attended by No 10 aides, with dancing and drinking going on into the early hours.
December: Multiple sources have told the BBC there was a Christmas quiz for No 10 staff in the Cabinet Office at some point in December. Invites were sent out in advance via email, telling people to form teams of six. Downing Street has said it was a "virtual gathering" but while some joined in that way, sources said there were groups in the room sat in their teams.
What parties are being investigated?
An investigation - led by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case - was announced by Mr Johnson on 8 December. It will examine
- The alleged gathering on 27 November
- The Department for Education gathering on 10 December
- The alleged Downing Street party on 18 December
The Cabinet Secretary will look at the purpose of the events, who attended and whether rules were followed.
No date has been given on when Mr Case's report will be published.
What were the Covid rules at the time?
At the time of the alleged gathering on 27 November, there was still a national lockdown in force and indoor gatherings were not allowed.
Any party at Downing Street on 18 December would have also breached the government's guidelines at the time.
Its guidance for the Christmas period specifically said: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."
This same line was also tweeted out by the official gov.uk account on 17 December 2021 in response to a question about whether Christmas parties were allowed in the workplace.
London at the time was in Tier 3 (it went into Tier 4 on 21 December) and the law banned gatherings of two or more people indoors unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.
There was also a specific prohibition on organising an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.
But there may have theoretically been a legal loophole for government buildings like 10 Downing Street because of the 1984 legislation used to bring in the tier system, according to Adam Wagner - a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an expert on Covid regulations.
Another barrister, Charles Holland from Trinity Chambers, tweeted that there would have needed to be an agreement with Westminster City Council for the regulations to apply in Downing Street.
We have asked Westminster City Council to confirm whether this was the case, but they have yet to respond.
What have the police said?
The Metropolitan Police says it is not currently investigating the allegations.
"Based on the absence of evidence and in line with our policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of such regulations, the Met will not commence an investigation at this time," it said.
The government has that the matter could still be referred to the police if the investigation uncovers any potential criminal offences.
What happened to people who broke the rules?
Thousands of of people were fined for breaking rules on gatherings last year, according to figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Between March 2020 and January 2021:
- 2,982 fines were issued in England for participating in a gathering inside a house or any indoor space in a Tier 3 area.
- 250 fines were issued in England for holding a gathering of more than 30 people
At the time, large parties could be shut down by the police - with fines of up to £10,000. Examples include:
- The organiser of a party in High Wycombe, attended by about 200 people, was fined last December
- More than 100 people attended a party in Northampton, also in December. The organiser was given a £10,000 fine
- In February, a woman was fined £10,000 for organising a birthday party, attended by more than 30 people in Ormskirk
