Saturday 15 January 2022
“Wine-time Fridays” at Johnson
In the lockdown, the wine probably flowed weekly
During the lockdown, the employees at 10 Downing Street are apparently sticking to an old tradition: “Wine-time Friday” is said to have continued to be boozy every week. Host Boris Johnson is said to have encouraged “let off steam” and celebrated several times himself.
New allegations of breaking corona rules in his seat of government are putting even more pressure on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the “Partygate” affair. According to a media report, during the pandemic there were not just isolated, but regular meetings in Downing Street where alcohol was drunk. That writes the “Mirror”, which is usually well informed in the matter.
Johnson’s employees met every Friday for “Wine-time Fridays” and the Prime Minister encouraged them to “let off steam” – even if indoor meetings were strictly forbidden under the lockdown rules. The head of government had visited these meetings several times himself. The employees bought an office refrigerator especially for the regular meetings to keep their bottles of white wine, Prosecco and beer cool.
Friday meetings have long been a “Downing Street tradition,” including under previous British governments, according to The Mirror. However, the meetings continued even after corona restrictions were imposed.
Johnson has been under massive pressure in the “Partygate” affair for a long time, and several members of his Tory party have already called for his resignation. He wants to get out of trouble politically with a comprehensive restart. Internal investigations are currently underway into the lockdown parties in his seat of government, and the prime minister wants to wait for the results.
It was recently reported that there were celebrations at the seat of government on the eve of Queen Consort Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021. At that time, strict contact and distance rules applied. Queen Elizabeth II therefore had to sit all alone in the chapel of her Windsor residence when her husband was buried. Downing Street apologized for this. “It is deeply unfortunate that this has taken place at a time of national mourning,” said a Johnson spokesman.