Boris Johnson

• WHILE the vast majority of Westminster residents stuck to the Covid-19 lockdown rules, their neighbours in Downing Street and Whitehall, led by Boris Johnson, ignored the rules and held at least 12 illegal parties.

While Westminster residents stayed at home, Boris Johnson and his wife held parties for their friends and colleagues.

A Downing Street staffer was sent to a supermarket to fill up a suitcase with wine. The rest of us stuck to the lockdown rules.

So far, 12 Downing Street and Whitehall parties are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service:

— May 20 2020: The infamous “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden.

— June 18 2020: A party at 70 Whitehall to mark the departure of a No 10 private secretary.

— June 19 2020: Boris Johnson’s “surprise” birthday party in his Downing Street flat. Carrie Johnson led staff in a chorus of Happy Birthday while the PM was presented with a cake.

— November 13 2020: Two parties. One in the No 11 flat, said to have been thrown by Carrie Johnson to celebrate the exit of Dominic Cummings, the second, next door for the PM’s departing director of communications.

— December 17 2020: Three parties. One for the former director general of the Covid taskforce. There was also a Cabinet Office Christmas party, with an online quiz. Thirdly, there was a gathering in No 10 for the departure of an official.

— December 18 2020: A big Christmas party at No 10.

January 14 2021: A gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of two private secretaries.

— April 16 2021: Two parties took place and later joined together on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.

Downing Street staff wheeled a suitcase filled with wine into No 10 for a leaving do for PM’s communications director.

By any standard this was appalling behaviour by the prime minister and his senior staff.

It is shocking that the leader of Westminster City Council has, so far, failed to condemn this cavalier rule breaking which took place in the city for which she is responsible.

What sort of example do the Conservatives expect us to follow?

Should we follow the example of a rule-breaking and lying prime minister?

Or should we follow the cowardly example of the leader of Westminster Council and put party loyalty before the rule of law?

Both of these so-called “leaders” should be booted out, starting with the Conservative leader of Westminster City Council on May 5.

CLLR PAUL DIMOLDENBERG
Labour City Management Spokesperson
City Hall, Victoria Street, SW1