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Prime Minister Boris Johnson: Alcohol in the seat of government only in exceptional cases
Photo: ANDY RAIN/POOL/EPA
After the illegal celebrations in Downing Street during the corona pandemic, alcohol is to be largely banned in the British seat of government in the future.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued new rules on Thursday, according to a spokesman in London.
Accordingly, employees are not permitted to consume alcohol on site.
The only exception are formal events, such as visits by leading international politicians.
“Social events” are still allowed for employees – but only under the new rules.
An investigation report published on Wednesday showed that there were repeated celebrations with excessive alcohol consumption at the seat of government during the corona lockdown.
Invitations to "Wine Time Fridays" were sent regularly by email.
Wine, cheese, nice weather
For example, in a May 2020 photo, Prime Minister Johnson was seen with around 20 staff members drinking wine and eating cheese in the Downing Street garden in May 2020.
In the strict lockdown at the time, such gatherings, even outdoors, were forbidden.
The report also notes that Johnson's office manager, Martin Reynolds, sent an email inviting about 100 employees to the garden of the office for a "drink at a distance" to "take advantage of the nice weather."
Around 40 people accepted the invitation to the picnic, including the prime minister.
These and other celebrations were suggested, planned and covered up by those responsible, according to the investigation report.
Police completed their investigation into the scandal in May 2022.
A total of 126 fines were imposed on 83 participants.
Johnson had announced that he would take full responsibility for the lockdown celebrations at the seat of government.
At the same time, he distanced himself from the incidents.
The "work meetings" that he had judged the events to be only got out of hand after he left.
Johnson's spokesman said of the new rules: "The guidelines make it clear that excessive alcohol consumption or consumption that impairs judgment is not appropriate."
taf/AFP/dpa
