Covid: Transport department apologises for Christmas party during lockdown

The Department for Transport has apologised after staff held a Christmas gathering during last year's lockdown.

In yet another revelation from the Daily Mirror, senior civil servants were said to be "boozing and dancing" in the building on 16 December 2020.

The department confirmed the report, saying it was "inappropriate" and an "error of judgment" by staff.

A spokesman for Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he had "absolutely no idea" about the event.

A source added Mr Shapps was "deeply unhappy" about the behaviour, adding he was in his constituency in Hertfordshire on the day of the gathering.

News of the 2020 party comes after a raft of parties in No 10 and other government departments were revealed to have taken place last Christmas, despite coronavirus restrictions being in place.

Downing Street has also denied reports from the Guardian and the Independent on Thursday that Boris Johnson attended a No 10 party in May 2020, when the country was in its first lockdown.

The newspapers reported around 20 staff drank alcohol and ate pizzas at a gathering after a government press conference in May, with the PM joining them for around 15 minutes.

They also said the then Health Secretary Matt Hancock was seen at the event, but his spokesman said he did not attend a party and only stayed in No 10 after the press conference to debrief his team and the PM.

Covid rules in place at the time allowed only two people from different households to socialise outside in public places.

• We're not locking the country down, says Johnson

• Johnson: I broke no rules over Christmas parties

• Which parties are being investigated?

According to the Mirror, transport department staff threw the party on the day London was moved into Tier 3 restrictions - meaning such gatherings were banned.

A spokesman confirmed the event took place, but said Mr Shapps was not involved.

The spokesman added: "Fewer than a dozen staff who were working in the office had a low-key, socially distanced, gathering in the large open-plan office after work on the 16 December, where food and drink was consumed.

"We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgement."

The matter has been referred to the cabinet secretary, a source close to Mr Shapps said.

The source said Mr Shapps was "deeply unhappy about this behaviour, which he knew nothing about and in no way condones" and the conduct of the staff involved "fell below the standard he would naturally expect of his private office".

An investigation into Christmas parties across government departments during lockdown was ordered by Mr Johnson last week, after numerous events were revealed in the press.

The PM - who was pictured on screen at a Christmas quiz in No 10, but insisted he "broke no rules" - appointed Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to carry out the inquiry. Mr Case has now stepped aside after it emerged an event was held in his own office.

The Metropolitan Police said on Thursday that it was in touch with the Cabinet Office, adding: "If any evidence emerges of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration."

But the force did confirm it would be "making contact" with two people who attended a gathering organised by the team of the Tory former London mayoral candidate, Shaun Bailey, on 14 December 2020.

Boris Johnson has said he "broke no rules" over Christmas parties but faces further accusations about a spring gathering, which No 10 denies

The other accusation facing No 10 is that a party took place on Friday 15 May 2020, when the UK was still in the first lockdown.

The Guardian and the Independent said some staff had drinks at their desks, while others were drinking in the Downing Street garden.

They reported some staff drank late into the evening - but added there was no suggestion Mr Johnson or Mr Hancock drank themselves or stayed late.

Mr Hancock led the government press conference from Downing Street on that day.

The BBC understands staff in Downing Street regularly had drinks at their desks on a Friday in their Covid-secure office.

Garden meetings

In response to the reports, a Downing Street spokesperson said that staff "regularly use the garden for some meetings" during summer months.

They added that on 15 May, Mr Johnson had 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 19:00," the spokesperson added.

"A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening."

A spokesperson for the former health secretary also told the BBC: "There is no suggestion that Mr Hancock did anything wrong.

"He arrived in Downing Street that day at around 16:40 to give a press conference, which took place between 17:00 and 17:53.

"After that he debriefed his team, then went to the Downing Street garden to debrief the prime minister.

"He left Downing Street at 18:30 and went back to his department."

The government Christmas parties of 2020

13 November 2020: Sources have told the BBC there were impromptu drinks to mark the exit of the former director of communications at No 10, Lee Cain - but it was staff having drinks at their desks and was over by 20:30 GMT.

13 November 2020: Also the date Dominic Cummings left as chief adviser to the PM. Sources told the BBC that several Downing Street staff members attended a gathering with Carrie Johnson in the flat where the prime minister and his wife live above No 11 after exits. A source said music was blaring and could be heard elsewhere in the building. But others said to be at the party denied it took place, as did a spokeswoman for Mrs Johnson.

25 November 2020: The Times reported Treasury officials held a drinks party in their office to celebrate Chancellor Rishi Sunak's spending review during the lockdown. The newspaper said two dozen civil servants were understood to have attended the event. But a spokesman for the department insisted it was an "impromptu" event, with a "small number" of staff who celebrated around their desks.

27 November 2020: Another No 10 aide, Cleo Watson, left Downing Street marked by an event. Again, sources said it was not formally organised, but people were having drinks and Mr Johnson made a speech.

10 December 2020: The Department for Education has confirmed it had a gathering in the office to thank staff for their work during the pandemic. Drinks and snacks were brought by those who attended and no outside guests or support staff were invited.

14 December 2020: The Conservatives have confirmed a report in the Times that there was an "unauthorised social gathering" in the basement of their party's building, held by the team of the London mayoral candidate at the time, Shaun Bailey. It was described as "raucous", with No 10 aides

15 December 2020: Multiple sources told the BBC there was a Christmas quiz for No 10 staff in the Cabinet Office, with invites sent out in advance via email, telling people to form teams of six. Downing Street have said it was a "virtual gathering" but while some joined in that way, sources said there were groups in the room sat in their teams. This is the event the Sunday Mirror released a picture of the PM attending virtually.

18 December 2020: A Downing Street Christmas party took place on this date, as first reported by the Mirror. A source told the BBC there was food, drinks and games at the gathering that went on past midnight.

DWP gatherings: The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed a "core team" of staff drank alcohol and ate takeaways "on a number of occasions" whilst working late in the office while Covid restrictions were in place. It followed a report in the Sunday Mirror alleging political staff and officials working for minister Therese Coffey frequently drank after work until the early hours of the morning.