Cost of Boris Johnson's Boozy Brexit bash clear after two year legal fight

28 January 2024 , 19:54

1130     0

Boris Johnson was pictured raising a toast at a leaving drinks in Number 10 during the Covid pandemic (Image: PA)

After a two-year legal battle, officials have finally been forced by a court to reveal that the booze bill for a Brexit party in No10 was £7,897.

Civil servants had blocked a Freedom of Information request about drinks served at then-PM Boris Johnson’s bash to mark the moment the UK finally left the EU at 11pm, on January 31, 2020.

The decision was backed up by the Information Commissioner, who agreed the public interest was not strong enough. But campaigners took the case to an Information Tribunal, which ruled against the government.

Now the documents released show guests at No10 consumed 117 bottles of Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2014, made by vineyards in Kent and Sussex and sold for around £65 per bottle.

At the end of last year Boris Johnson appeared at a inquiry into the handling of Covid (AP)

There were also 10 bottles of white wine from the Chapel Down vineyard, in Kent, which typically sell for around £16 each. Those who wanted red had to turn to a EU nation for the Italian Valpolicella 2017, with 11 bottles drunk at around £12 each.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

The event was held as news of Covid was beginning to emerge and just a few weeks before the lockdown was imposed on March 23. The Mirror later exposed a series of lockdown-breaking parties held at No10 as the rest of the country remained under restrictions.

All the wine came from the taxpayer-funded Government Wine Cellar. A government statement said: “The Government Wine Cellar generate revenues... to ensure minimal cost to the taxpayer.”

Matthew Davis