Boris Johnson insists No10 garden ‘drinks party’ was routine meeting with Hancock’s team

BORIS Johnson has insisted an alleged party with 20 civil servants inside Downing Street during the first lockdown was a routine meeting with Matt Hancock's team.

It is claimed Mr Johnson gathered with close advisers on May 15 last year for drinks inside No10 and in its garden.

Last night the Prime Minister's spokesman said a meeting was held in the garden, as is regularly the case in the summer.

According to , the get-together was held just after then Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a light easing of restrictions during a televised press conference.

The publication claims the group ate pizzas and drank alcohol until late into the night.

At the time, people from different households were being restricted to one-on-one meetings outdoors with gatherings indoors strictly forbidden.

Responding to the allegations, a No10 spokesman said: "In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings.

 "On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference.

"The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening."

Days before the alleged event - on May 10 - Mr Johnson thanked Brits in televised address for abiding by Covid restrictions.

Outlining an increase in fines for restriction breaches at the time, the PM said: "You must obey the rules on social distancing, and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them."

The accusations come as the PM is accused of personally breaking Covid laws by hosting the virtual quiz in No10 for staff in the policy unit and press office last Christmas.

Mr Johnson was pictured on screen as he read out questions to colleagues on December 15, 2020.

A leaked email suggests the organisers had planned the event days in advance for some staff to attend the event in person, from the office.