Number 10 Allegedly Held Regular 'Wine-Time Friday' Events During Covid Restrictions
According to reports, weekly events are a long-standing Number 10 tradition which continued despite restrictions being implemented
It has been claimed that Downing Street staff regularly held 'wine-time Fridays' during the period when the rest of the country were following Covid restrictions - implemented by the government.
According to sources that spoke to The Mirror, Prime Minister Boris Johnson would witness the gatherings and even encouraged aides to 'let off steam' despite indoor socialising being banned.
It's believed that those getting involved in the Friday drinks even splashed out on a drinks fridge which cost them £142 ($194). This enabled them to keep bottles of white wine, Prosecco and beer cool - because we all know there's nothing worse than a warm bev, don't we?
A picture emerged of the offending fridge which was taken on 11 December 2020 - a time when the country was in a second national lockdown with everyone banned from mixing with different households indoors.
We could also only meet in groups of six people when it came to outside areas.
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The Mirror reported that the aides would take it in turns every week to visit the local Tesco Metro in Westminster to fill up the fridge. They would apparently take along with them a wheel along suitcase.
The publication also revealed that the 'wine-time Friday' events were scheduled into the calendars of around 50 members of staff and they were set to take place between 4pm and 7pm.
The drinks - which are said to have been organised by the No 10 press office - are believed to be a long-standing tradition that are in place to help staff wind down at the end of a busy week.
But they continued despite restrictions being put in place on everyone in the country.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “There is an ongoing investigation to establish the facts around the nature of gatherings, including attendance, setting and the purpose with reference to adherence to the guidance at the time.
“The findings will be made public in due course.”
Now, the Prime Minister is facing mounting pressure to resign with former Conservative minister Tobias Ellwood said the Prime Minister must 'lead or step aside', telling the BBC: “We need leadership.”
LADbible has contacted Downing Street for a statement.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: UK News, News, Coronavirus, Boris Johnson
Rebecca Shepherd