11 January 2023 , 08:48
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Boris Johnson boasted a No10 lockdown bash was the “most unsocially distanced party in the UK”, a bombshell report claims today.
The ousted Prime Minister is said to have made the flippant comment at a leaving do where 20 people were “sat on top of each other” like a “Tube carriage”.
“Everyone was laughing about it,” a witness added.
The claims, which date back to the second lockdown in November 2020, add fuel to a Commons probe into whether the ex-PM lied about parties in No10.
When the Mirror revealed his lockdown partying, Mr Johnson claimed “all guidance was followed”.
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Yet photos later showed him raising a glass at the bash for aide Lee Cain. Now an ITV News podcast has quoted a source at the Friday night bash.
Boris Johnson claimed “all guidance was followed” - yet photos later showed him raising a glass at the bash for aide Lee Cain (Getty Images)They said: “I was working late - some music came on, the mumbling sort of rose, and there were loads of people stood around.
“This time I came out because I heard the prime minister speaking.
“That’s when I heard the quote ‘this is the most unsocially distanced party in the UK right now’ and everyone was laughing about it”.
A source close to Mr Johnson said the claim was based on one anonymous source but did not deny it. They said he thought rules were being followed.
Boris Johnson leaving the Carlton Club last night, while being yelled at by protester Steve Bray (GC Images)At the time, the law banned people from socialising indoors with people who weren’t in their household or bubble.
The podcast, Partygate: The Inside Story, also claims staff “shredded” documents and “destroyed evidence” such as mock awards, before a probe by ethics tsar Sue Gray.
It reported only half of partying was ever investigated by Ms Gray or the Met Police.
It claims staff “shredded” documents and “destroyed evidence” such as mock awards, before a probe by ethics tsar Sue Gray (PA)At a staff party the night before Prince Philip’s funeral, there were at least two couples “getting it on with each other” and “touching each other up”.
On the same night in April 2021, two other members of staff were “all over each other” in a kitchen area, a source told the podcast.
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It came as Mr Johnson last night joked “I’ve been framed” after unveiling a portrait of himself at the private members’ club that sparked his downfall.
The ex-PM defended his legacy on Tuesday in a speech at the Carlton Club - where whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in June.
He said the Tories should “‘never give in, keep fighting, keep backing the government.
“Keep making the case for levelling up, for opportunities and for a dynamic low tax global Britain.”
He failed to mention Rishi Sunak by name.
Boris Johnson last night - where he joked “I’ve been framed” after unveiling a portrait of himself at the private members’ club that sparked his downfall (PA)The ITV News podcast uses actors to voice sources from inside Boris Johnson’s No10.
Mr Johnson is still waiting to be grilled by the Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether he committed contempt of parliament by misleading MPs.
A source said of the Friday night leaving do: “The PM making that comment really sticks out in my mind, that was pretty bad.
“Because the picture showed one side of this going on. But what it didn’t capture is the 20 odd people sat on top of each other on the opposite side - they’re literally shoulder to shoulder, clamped in like a tube carriage.
“And he was there seeing people sat on other people’s laps (in) close proximity, crowded, scrunched up in front of him. He saw that, he saw people with drinks. You saw the picture. It had booze all over that desk.
“He’s not blind, he’s not stupid. He saw that and didn’t shut it down.
“That was really bad, but that was a normal sight, a regular occurrence, so it wasn’t unusual to see that sort of thing.”
Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: "These shocking revelations confirm Boris Johnson's total disregard for the rules he asked us all to follow. He laughed and partied while the rest of the country suffered.
Mr Johnson is still waiting to be grilled by the Commons Privileges Committee (GC Images)
The PM pictured outside the Carlton Club last night (GC Images)"Conservative MPs should be ashamed that they backed Johnson for so long and that some are even considering putting him back in Number 10.
"Rishi Sunak must agree to give evidence under oath to the partygate inquiry about everything he knows about rule-breaking in Number 10, including reports that files were shredded.
“After all their sacrifices the British people deserve the truth, not more lies and cover ups."
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: “As the disgraced former PM plots his comeback, he reminds us all yet again why he's totally unfit for office.
"While people were unable to say goodbye to loved ones, he was breaking his own rules…This joke's not funny anymore."
Keir Starmer's spokesman said: "As the disgraced Prime Minister is plotting his comeback, he reminds us, yet again, why he is totally unfit for office.
"As we've said at the time, while people were unable to say goodbye to loved ones or mourn with their families, he was breaking his own rules, and we have more evidence today of the way in which he was doing so with reckless abandon and lying to the British people about it."
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic Boris Johnson led our country through its most dangerous peacetime crisis in living memory.
“As Prime Minister during a 24/7 national emergency he worked constantly to ensure the government did everything possible in its power to save lives and protect livelihoods.
“Mr Johnson pays heartfelt tribute to the heroic frontline workers who battled the pandemic, many of whom lost their lives. Their service to our country will always be remembered.
“He is also incredibly grateful for the efforts of hardworking staff who were working in central government - the vast majority of them civil servants - who helped co-ordinate the UK's national response from 10 Downing Street, across Whitehall and throughout the wider UK government. Their work was crucial as they helped marshal the UK Government's response during a national emergency.”