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Britain’s ruling Conservative Party has admitted that an “unauthorized” rally was held at party headquarters last December, when COVID-19 restrictions banned indoor socializing.
This admission further complicates Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s attempt to move beyond the crisis caused by the allegations that a Christmas party breaking the blockade was held in Downing Street on December 18, 2020.
On Wednesday, Johnson ordered Chief Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to conduct an internal investigation of the allegations, and senior aide Allegra Stratton appeared in a video showing that she was joking about the alleged rally. After that, I resigned.
But on thursday The Times of London The newspaper reported that another rule-breaking event was held in the same month within the Conservative Party headquarters in Westminster.
According to the newspaper, on December 14, 2020, about 25 people gathered in the basement of the Tory headquarters in Westminster. It is said that the “noisy” party hosted by Sean Bailey’s campaign team, who was running for Mayor of London, was attended by a number 10 aide, who was characterized by dancing and drinking wine early. increase.
At that time, London was under Tier 2 level restrictions. In other words, all indoor socializing between households was prohibited.
The Conservative Party confirmed that the party had taken place. “Senior CCHQ [Conservative Campaign Headquarters] Staff noticed an unauthorized social gathering in the basement of Matthew Parker Street organized by the Bailey Campaign on the night of December 14, “said a party spokesman.
“Formal disciplinary action has been taken against the four CCHQ staff sent to the Bailey campaign.”
Health Minister Sajid Javid said he was unaware of the case, but the Chief Cabinet Secretary suggested that he could choose to delve into what happened as part of his investigation.
“I know Simon Case isn’t just looking at a particular date,” Javid told LBC Radio Thursday. “He is free to see the dates he wants to consider.”
At a press conference on Wednesday, Boris Johnson also seemed to admit that the case wasn’t just about “seeing other things” by reviewing what happened on December 18.
The Metropolitan Police Department admitted that it had received “a significant amount of communication” regarding the alleged breach of No. 10, but said it did not “provide evidence of the breach” of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus regulations.
However, the unit left the possibility of further investigation, stating that it would consider “all evidence” revealed in the investigation of the case.
PA contributed to this report.
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