Status: December 20, 2021 10:38 a.m.
The photo of a gathering on Downing Street during lockdown puts pressure on Premier Johnson. The picture shows about twenty people, cheese and wine included. The government speaks of a working meeting.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under increasing pressure for possible violations of lockdown rules. After reports of Christmas celebrations during the lockdown in the UK government headquarters, a new photo of another gathering with almost 20 people in the garden on Downing Street has now emerged.
Working meeting – with wine and cheese
On the picture published by the Guardian, from May 2020 – a time with strict contact restrictions – Johnson can be seen at a table with his wife Carrie and two employees. Spread across the garden you can see other groups, there is wine and cheese.
The government emphasizes that it was a working meeting. “The government also uses the Downing Street garden for work meetings. That was not against the rules,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. At that time, in May 2020, only a maximum of two people were allowed to meet in England, outside and at a distance of two meters. Working meetings should only take place “if absolutely necessary”.
Johnson under pressure
The photo joins a series of reports of parties that are said to have taken place on Downing Street during the lockdown. Johnson has come under considerable pressure because of this. As a result, his corona policy is also losing credibility in the eyes of observers. Labor Vice-Leader Angela Rayner called the picture “a slap in the face of the British public”.