No 10 rule breaking gatherings during 2020.

[ainsworth74]

How on earth she could reach her current position after Stockwell is completely beyond me. Even allowing for the difficult atmosphere of the time, that operation was shambolic.

She's quite happy being a stooge for the Home Secretary and Government of the day. As long as that is true they'll not want rid of her unless they absolutely have to.

 

[bramling]

She's quite happy being a stooge for the Home Secretary and Government of the day. As long as that is true they'll not want rid of her unless they absolutely have to.

I guess the difficulty is it’s too easy for the “you’re lucky to have this position” line to be held over her.

She’d have struggled to find a job elsewhere for sure.

 

[Mojo]

Link to condensed report outlining initial findings https://assets.publishing.service.g...emises_during_Covid_restrictions_-_Update.pdf

 

[brad465]

Link to condensed report outlining initial findings https://assets.publishing.service.g...emises_during_Covid_restrictions_-_Update.pdf

Yes just read it, and there's not a lot in there basically. 12 pages in total, and I'd say half of those are just context/timelines for what decisions were made by Government during the pandemic, and the Met have decided to "investigate" all but 4 of the known gathering dates.

 

[dosxuk]

My summary:
- out of 16 reported incidents, she can only write about 4 of them as the Police are investigating potential breaches of the regulations at the other 12.
- she can't talk about those being investigated and she doesn't want to talk about the 4 she can as it will affect the overall balance of the report (i.e. it'll make it sound like nothing has really happened and it's all a fuss over nothing)
- they drink too much
- there's a complete lack of accountability and responsibility in the way the Downing Street operation is run

 

[Howardh]

No.10 are now backtracking and are not committing to the full report being released when it does finally come out. They really do take us for fools

Think there's plenty enough in this watered-down report to see Johnson off. "Lack of leadership".The seat of government a boozers' den, scathing attack on the parties that they can mention....can't wait for 3.30. Other than resignations, I do hope that one thing comes out of this, rules so there's no alcohol consumption on any government office anywhere. Especially with the Ukraine situation approaching, everyone neds a clear head.

 

[bramling]

Think there's plenty enough in this watered-down report to see Johnson off. "Lack of leadership".The seat of government a boozers' den, scathing attack on the parties that they can mention....can't wait for 3.30. Other than resignations, I do hope that one thing comes out of this, rules so there's no alcohol consumption on any government office anywhere. Especially with the Ukraine situation approaching, everyone neds a clear head.

I guess the next thing is to see who has an appointment with the underside of a bus.

 

[Crossover]

I guess the next thing is to see who has an appointment with the underside of a bus.

Maybe there will be a use for the Borismasters after all…

 

[Bayum]

So basically, Boris isn’t actually sorry.
Quelle surprise.

 

[brad465]

So in the Commons so far, Starmer attacked Johnson as per the report's finding, Johnson got desperate and brought up Jimmy Saville, May scathed her successor (possibly motivated by revenge?), Blackford called Johnson a liar and decided to stand firm and get kicked out, and Andrew Mitchell (subject of plebgate) announced Johnson no longer has his support.

Apparently the Met have been given over 300 photographs to look through in this investigation:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-60147988

More than 300 photographs given to police​

Some news in now from outside the Commons. The Met Police has been talking about its investigation into parties in No 10.
Commander Catherine Roper, whose team is working on the investigation, says a "bundle of material" was provided by the Cabinet Office on Friday.
She tells reporters her team has been given "over 500 pieces of paper and over 300 photographs" which officers are now combing through.
Based on that they will decide who they have to contact as part of the investigation.

 

[greyman42]

I do hope that one thing comes out of this, rules so there's no alcohol consumption on any government office anywhere.

That is impractical considering the hospitality that is offered to visitors.

 

[Typhoon]

So in the Commons so far, Starmer attacked Johnson as per the report's finding, Johnson got desperate and brought up Jimmy Saville, May scathed her successor (possibly motivated by revenge?), Blackford called Johnson a liar and decided to stand firm and get kicked out, and Andrew Mitchell (subject of plebgate) announced Johnson no longer has his support.

Starmer: that has been subject a 'Full Fact' review:

Mr Starmer was head of the CPS when the decision was made not to prosecute Savile but he was not the reviewing lawyer for the case. An official investigation commissioned later by Starmer criticised both prosecutors and police for their handling of the allegations.

If Johnson thinks Starmer has to take responsibility for the Savile case, because he was ultimately in charge, then Johnson needs to take responsibility for all of Williamson's errors at Education. the fraud that has taken place in Bounce Back Loans and other dole outs since Covid, Patel's bullying, all of the problems with PPE supply and quality, shortage of lorry drivers (due to issues with HGV testing) etc
Starmer explained the position

He said: “I would like to take the opportunity to apologise for the shortcomings in the part played by the CPS in these cases.
“These were errors of judgement by experienced and committed police officers and a prosecuting lawyer acting in good faith and attempting to apply the correct principles. That makes the findings of Ms Levitt’s report more profound and calls for a more robust response.”.

Not a Johnson 'I apologise if ...'
https://fullfact.org/online/keir-starmer-prosecute-jimmy-savile/

Mitchell: plebgate was a storm in a teacup compared to partygate, especially given this report

Boris Johnson has been accused of leaving top secret government papers lying around ‘where it could be read by any visitor’, sparking major security concerns.

The Prime Minister left highly classified intelligence documents unattended in his family flat and at Chequers, according to an account in The Sunday Times.

If true (and, yes, I know the name Cummings features in the story), this dwarfs 'Wine Time Fridays'. I gather Carrie had (journalist) mates round to the flat - I wonder if any report to Agent BearRider.

(quote from https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/30/bori...ied-papers-lying-around-in-his-flat-16015871/

 

[Howardh]

That is impractical considering the hospitality that is offered to visitors.

Totally disagree with that! Something very wrong if you need booze to offer hospitality in a working environment.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

In the language of senior civil servants, this is strong stuff:

i. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the Government was asking
citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour
surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify.
ii. At least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to
observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of
Government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population
at the time.
iii. At times it seems there was too little thought given to what was happening
across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these
gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear
to the public. There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts
of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times. Some of the events should
not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been
allowed to develop as they did.

(quotes from the interim report linked previously: general findings, page 7)

 

[DNCharingX]

Hahaha @ "they drink too much alcohol", made my day.

iv. The excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time. Steps must be taken to ensure that every Government Department has a clear and robust policy in place covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace.

 

[43096]

So basically, Boris isn’t actually sorry.
Quelle surprise.

Oh he is. Boris is very sorry. He's sorry he got caught.

I'm surprised that no-one appears to have used the obvious punch-line of "The party leader".

 

[bspahh]

Apparently the Met have been given over 300 photographs to look through in this investigation:

This is the statement from the Metropolitan Police

31 JANUARY 2022 16:34

Update - investigation into alleged Covid breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall​

Following the publication of Sue Gray’s update, we can now confirm that we will be investigating eight of the 12 dates considered by the Cabinet Office as part of their own investigation into alleged gatherings on Government premises during Covid restrictions.

The dates we will be looking at will be:
- 20 May 2020;
- 18 June 2020;
- 19 June 2020;
- 13 November 2020;
- 17 December 2020;
- 18 December 2020;
- 14 January 2021;
- 16 April 2021.
Our position from the start has been that, while we don’t normally investigate breaches reported long after they are said to have taken place, if significant evidence became available we would assess it. That is now the situation and why we have acted.
As part of the investigation it is necessary for us to contact those who attended these events to get their account. As a result, the Met has requested that any information identified as part of the Cabinet Office investigation about these events, is not disclosed in detail. This request only applies for the duration of our investigation and does not apply to events we are not investigating.
The reason this request is necessary is that in any investigation officers seek independent accounts from each individual, as free from the influence of others’ recollections as possible. Officers would also seek to avoid providing details of their investigation in advance to those they contact, so that individuals are not tempted to shape their accounts according to what is in the public domain.
This is a standard approach in all investigations to ensure that how people engage with our investigation is not prejudiced, and not a judgement on the individuals who attended these specific events.
Having received the documentation from the Cabinet Office on Friday 28 January, we are now reviewing it at pace to confirm which individuals will need to be contacted for their account. This prioritisation will include reviewing all the material from the Cabinet Office, which includes more than 300 images and over 500 pages of information.
If following an investigation, officers believe it is appropriate, because the Covid regulations have been breached without a reasonable excuse, a fixed penalty notice would normally be issued. Once the penalty is paid, the matter is considered closed. Alternatively individuals may decide to dispute the notice. In these circumstances officers will consider whether to pursue the matter in a magistrates' court.
We do understand that the Met’s action in assessing and responding to these allegations will divide opinion. However police officers must, based on the information available to them, make carefully considered, difficult decisions, even when to do so is contentious.
We understand the interest in and impact of this case, and will be progressing the investigation at pace. We are committed to completing our investigations proportionately, fairly and impartially.

 

[Yew]

Totally disagree with that! Something very wrong if you need booze to offer hospitality in a working environment.

Why is it very wrong? It's been part of our culture and traditions for a thousand years. I'd agree if people were getting plastered at lunchtime, but it seems to be for the most part a few drinks at the end of the work day.

 

[GusB]

Why is it very wrong? It's been part of our culture and traditions for a thousand years. I'd agree if people were getting plastered at lunchtime, but it seems to be for the most part a few drinks at the end of the work day.

It's very wrong because the rest of us were locked down and unable to meet with friends and family. It's also very wrong because many of us would be fired for drinking during work hours, even if it was only a swift half.

What's also wrong is that there are so many people who are prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. You simply cannot announce restrictions on freedom of movement and association and then mandate it in law while ignoring those restrictions.

As I've said before, it does not matter whether or not you agreed with the restrictions - the fact is that some were punished for disobeying the rules while those in number 10 appear to be getting away with it. The excuse that they were all working hard and needed a break does not wash with me; what about all those who were working hard for the NHS and in other "key" jobs? There was nowhere for them to go for a post-work pint after a hard shift.

 

[Eyersey468]

It's very wrong because the rest of us were locked down and unable to meet with friends and family. It's also very wrong because many of us would be fired for drinking during work hours, even if it was only a swift half.

What's also wrong is that there are so many people who are prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. You simply cannot announce restrictions on freedom of movement and association and then mandate it in law while ignoring those restrictions.

As I've said before, it does not matter whether or not you agreed with the restrictions - the fact is that some were punished for disobeying the rules while those in number 10 appear to be getting away with it. The excuse that they were all working hard and needed a break does not wash with me; what about all those who were working hard for the NHS and in other "key" jobs? There was nowhere for them to go for a post-work pint after a hard shift.

I am not prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt they don't deserve it. To be honest in my view they deserve jail time for what they have done.

 

[duncanp]

All this hoo hah over "partygate" conveniently takes attention away from the expected increase in the COVID figures today due to reinfections (or "infection episodes") being included from now on.

At 8:30pm, the figures still have not been published for today.

 

[bramling]

She's quite happy being a stooge for the Home Secretary and Government of the day. As long as that is true they'll not want rid of her unless they absolutely have to.

Which does lend some weight to the theory that the whole Met Police delay thing is deliberate, in the hope the story fizzles out over time. I’m very wary of Dick - because of her dubious history she is very open to being dictated to.

Meanwhile, I think it was disgraceful bringing up Jimmy Savile today. Is there no depth to which Johnson will not sink? Credit to Theresa May, though.

The biggest loser in all this is of course our democracy. Today reflected very poorly on our country, and it’s concerning the numbers of people who say they simply don’t know who to vote for.

 

[DanNCL]

Liz Truss has very conveniently tested positive this evening for Covid, getting her out of both TV interviews over the Partygate scandal and a meeting with Sergey Lavrov.

She also attended the 1922 committee meeting this evening trying to prop up Boris after his disaster of a statement this afternoon. As far as I understand it remains a legal requirement to self isolate immediately upon recieving a positive Covid test? So that likely means she attended that meeting knowing she was infected. This scandal goes on.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

All this hoo hah over "partygate" conveniently takes attention away from the expected increase in the COVID figures today due to reinfections (or "infection episodes") being included from now on.

At 8:30pm, the figures still have not been published for today.

Figures now expected at 22.00.

The effect of the changes, however, will be to reduce the Infection Fatality Rate to a much lower figure than it currently is - notwithstanding a one off huge jump in the infection figures, would they really choose to try to distract from that with the much more damaging parties story?

 

[Whistler40145]

Boris, oh what a mess

If you stick your nose in a beehive, you'll get more than a nostril full of honey.

I can't forget all the days being stuck in home not being able to see anyone and we're stuck with a right pillock of a Prime Minister, I'm sure he'd be quite able of going into the Circus industry.

 

[Cdd89]

This thread seems to veer away from the Covid and into the political fairly often

On the Covid aspect however, seeing the parties set out makes it very easy to understand why lockdowns were as wide ranging as they were, and went on as long as they did. If they were all having a miserable time, perhaps there would have been a greater effort to ease earlier (at least on the margins). It may sound misanthropic, but I absolutely want those in charge to suffer during lockdowns, commensurate with the harm they inflict.

 

[bramling]

This thread seems to veer away from the Covid and into the political fairly often

On the Covid aspect however, seeing the parties set out makes it very easy to understand why lockdowns were as wide ranging as they were, and went on as long as they did. If they were all having a miserable time, perhaps there would have been a greater effort to ease earlier (at least on the margins). It may sound misanthropic, but I absolutely want those in charge to suffer during lockdowns, commensurate with the harm they inflict.

Yes this is a very salient point well made. If no.10 was so relaxed about all this, were the restrictions justified for the population?

 

[Busaholic]

This thread seems to veer away from the Covid and into the political fairly often

Given the thread title, that appears to be not only justified but a must!

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Which does lend some weight to the theory that the whole Met Police delay thing is deliberate, in the hope the story fizzles out over time.

That was blatantly obvious as soon as BoJo announced he welcomed the Met Polices investigation. The reality is the Met have more important things to deploy their limited resources on but have been pushed into this as Cressida Dick is only there as long as she does Patels bidding.

Meanwhile, I think it was disgraceful bringing up Jimmy Saville today. Is there no depth to which Johnson will not sink? Credit to Theresa May, though.

And Andrew Mitchell, Aaron Bell and Baroness Davidson for calling him out in a very passionate response on C4 news.

 

[43096]

Boris, oh what a mess

If you stick your nose in a beehive, you'll get more than a nostril full of honey.

I can't forget all the days being stuck in home not being able to see anyone and we're stuck with a right pillock of a Prime Minister, I'm sure he'd be quite able of going into the Circus industry.

Boris is no clown. Pillock is a massive understatement. He is interested in no-one but himself and power only for the sake of having power. He is totally unfit to be Prime Minister.