A LABOUR councillor in Reading has asked for a clear message to be sent to Downing Street, following accusations of a ‘bring your own bottle’ party.
The party is alleged to have taken place during May 2020, when the country was still following strict lockdown guidance during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Labour’s lead councillor for health in Reading, said: “In 2020, 224 Reading people died from coronavirus.
“We now know that at the same time Boris Johnson, his wife and team enjoyed lockdown-busting boozy parties at No 10.”
A email was sent by Martin Reynolds, an aide to the prime minister, inviting staff to “make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks”.
ITV News said that around 40 people are reported to have gathered in the garden on the evening of Saturday, May 20.
“Now it is clear that while the people of Reading suffered and made huge sacrifices to follow the rules, Boris Johnson and his team were drinking and laughing away – laughing at us.”
This is one of many reported parties which are currently subject to an inquiry by senior civil servant, Sue Gray.
“After weeks of contemptuous lies, the Prime Minister has been caught red-handed,” said Cllr Hoskin.
“Think back to what you were doing in May 2020 – what you and your loved ones missed, what you sacrificed, what you lost. It is absolutely sickening.”
At the time of the alleged party, mixing with households was still banned and Cllr Hoskin believes the people of Reading deserve an apology.
“I am calling on Alok Sharma, Conservative MP for Reading West, to join me in condemning this disgusting behaviour, in demanding a full and honest account of what happened, and in calling for an apology to every single one of us in Reading who has suffered over these last two years.”
