UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in hot water politically over a series of parties held while various lockdown restrictions were in place.
The reports have reinforced a perception that the ruling party likes to make the rules but not abide by them. Mr Johnson and his aides have offered various explanations for the gatherings, such as thinking they were work events, while denying some even occurred.
Here are the allegations, the surrounding Covid restrictions and the cases police are not investigating.
May 13, 2020: restrictions ease
In outdoor public places, people are allowed to meet only one person not from their household. Friends and relatives cannot meet one another at their respective homes – even in the garden – but a full lockdown was relaxed.
May 15, 2020 event. Police not investigating
Mr Johnson is photographed with his partner, Carrie Symonds, at an event with senior Downing Street staff. They insist it was a work event.
May 20, 2020 gathering. Police investigating
A gathering in the garden of No 10 Downing Street for staff who work there.
June 1, 2020: restrictions ease
People are allowed to meet outside in groups of up to six. Exceptions are made for work and education.
June 18, 2020 gathering. Police investigating
A gathering in the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, on the departure of a No 10 private secretary.
June 19, 2020 gathering. Police investigating
Happy birthday, Mr Prime Minister. A small event was organised to celebrate but he also reportedly attended a party for 30 people in the Cabinet room. Downing Street said he was there for less than 10 minutes.
October 31, 2020: restrictions tightened
All indoor socialising is banned between households and outside of support bubbles. The second lockdown will come into effect on February 4.
November 13, 2020 — two gatherings. Police investigating
Mr Johnson reportedly attends and makes a speech at a leaving event for the departing communications chief, Lee Cain. There are two gatherings: one in the No 10 Downing Street offices and another in its residential quarters.
November 27, 2020 party. Police not investigating
Mr Johnson makes another speech at another leaving event, this time for aide Cleo Watson. Up to 50 people reportedly attended.
December 2, 2020: restrictions ease
The full lockdown ends but tiered location restrictions take its place. In London, meeting inside is forbidden but up to six people can gather outside.
December 10, 2020 party. Police not investigating
Former education secretary Gavin Williamson gives a speech at a party hosted in his department at which canapés and drinks are served.
December 15, 2020 party. Police not investigating
The prime minister appeared online at a Christmas quiz event for staff hosted from the Cabinet Office and from Number 10.
December 16, 2020: restrictions tighten
Nine days before Christmas, London tightens restrictions and outdoor gatherings are banned. Up to six people can still meet in outside public space. Aides to Grant Shapps have a Christmas party in Whitehall.
December 17, 2020 — three gatherings. Police investigating
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case holds a quiz event, with most taking part online, for his team. There are three gatherings. One, in the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, is an online Christmas quiz for staff of the Cabinet Secretary’s private office. A second, at the same venue, is for the departure of a senior Cabinet Office official and a third, at No 10 Downing Street, is for a departing No 10 official.
December 18, 2020 gathering. Police investigating
A gathering in No 10 Downing Street before the Christmas break.
January 14, 2021 gathering. Police investigating
A gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of two of its private secretaries.
April 12, 2021: restrictions ease
A ban on different households meeting indoors remains in place and social contact rules continue.
April 16, 2021 — two gatherings. Police investigating
Two leaving parties take place in Downing Street on the evening before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. His widow, Queen Elizabeth II, sits alone during the service, in accordance with social distancing protocol.
May 17, 2021: restrictions ease
Outdoor mixing is relaxed so that up to 30 people can meet. Indoor social events, including those at restaurants, are now allowed for up to six people or the members of two households.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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BMW%20M4%20Competition
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Cases of coronavirus in the GCC as of March 15
Saudi Arabia – 103 infected, 0 dead, 1 recovered
UAE – 86 infected, 0 dead, 23 recovered
Bahrain – 210 infected, 0 dead, 44 recovered
Kuwait – 104 infected, 0 dead, 5 recovered
Qatar – 337 infected, 0 dead, 4 recovered
Oman – 19 infected, 0 dead, 9 recovered
The%20specs
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Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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