Labor Angela Raynor has called for an investigation into text messages suggesting that a second reunion was held in Apartment 10 on Boris Johnson’s birthday.
According to The Sunday Times, reports from the prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, appear to indicate that she was in the apartment with several friends on the evening of June 19, 2020.
The alleged incident is not mentioned in the report of senior civil servant Sue Gray on events violating the blockade, which was published on Wednesday after the completion of the investigation of the Sofia police.
It is also separate from Mr Johnson’s birthday party in the office earlier in the day, an event for which both received fixed notices of punishment.
Covid regulations have banned indoor communication, but there are exceptions for work purposes.
A spokeswoman for Ms Johnson insisted Ms Gray was “aware of the exchange as part of her comprehensive investigation into the alleged violations”.
However, Ms Raynor said it “looks like another cover and there are new questions that the prime minister has to answer about his involvement”.
In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case published Sunday night, the deputy Labor leader called for reports of the plenary meeting to be published and investigated.
Referring to reports in The Sunday Times, she said that the gathering in apartment № 10 on June 19, 2020 was announced for the first time earlier this year, but was rejected as “completely untrue” by a spokesman for number 10.
In a series of questions, Ms Rayner asked whether Mr Case had received correspondence from staff number 10 “indicating that this third meeting had taken place” and whether he had provided any evidence of Ms Gray’s inquiry.
She also asked to know whether Mr Johnson had attended the meeting on 19 June 2020 and whether other ministers or civil servants had attended the alleged meeting.
She added: “It is crucial now that you advise the Prime Minister to clarify his participation in this blatant gathering.
“In view of the public interest at stake, please make public his correspondence relating to this event and its location on the date of Friday, 19 June 2020, and publish the relevant communications you have received and submit it to the Privileges Committee for consideration as part of their investigation. “
Earlier, number 10 did not deny that the event took place, but said: “According to the technical conditions, Gray’s investigation was able to consider other gatherings where there were credible allegations and they will be covered by the general findings in her final report.
“Downing Street staff have been given clear guidelines to keep any additional information and to cooperate fully with the investigation.”
They added: “The process rightly involved the constant sharing of information with the Sofia police. The Sofia police have completed their investigations and presented their findings. “
A spokeswoman for Ms Johnson also told The Independent: “As The Sunday Times admits, Sue Gray was aware of these exchanges as part of her comprehensive investigation into the alleged violations.
“Employees were given ample opportunity to present evidence, including these reports, and all relevant information was passed on to the Sofia police for investigation.
They added: “The lunch meeting in the Cabinet on 19 June 2020 was subsequently found to be in breach and Ms Johnson was, inter alia, notified of a fixed sanction, for which she apologized. pay the fine unreservedly and in a timely manner. “
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