No 10 says garden photo shows work meeting

The picture that’s causing outrage across the nation – that shows Boris Johnson, his wife and 17 staff members enjoying wine and cheese in the Downing Street Gardens during the first lockdown – was a work meeting, according to No 10.

According to the Guardian (who first published the picture) says the gathering took place in May 2020 after a press conference held during the first lockdown – a time when strict restrictions were in place.

But No 10 says it was a “work meeting” (one with wine and cheese) and a number of work meetings took place outside during those summer months.

Dominic Raab told BBC Breakfast: “If you think how hard [people in Downing Street] are working under the pressure of the week, they sometimes have a drink, and that’s what’s happening there.”

Labour’s Keir Srarmer said it was “a stretch” to call the garden gathering a work meeting, noting a “contrast” between the picture of the PM and people who were unable to attend funerals due to the lockdown rules.

An investigation is taking place into a number of alleged parties within Downing Street in November and December last year.

A No 10 spokesman said: “Work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months.

“On this occasion there were staff meetings following a No 10 press conference.”

They added: “Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in No 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden.

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