U.K. inquiry to look into 2 more alleged government gatherings
CTV
The British government confirmed Thursday that an inquiry into an alleged lockdown-breaching Christmas party at the offices of Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson nearly a year ago will also look at two prior gatherings involving government officials.
In a statement to lawmakers, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis laid out the terms of reference for the inquiry Johnson ordered Wednesday following a week of allegations that officials had flouted coronavirus rules that they imposed on everyone else.
The primary charge relates to a Dec. 18, 2020, event at the prime minister's 10 Downing St. offices, where officials are said to have enjoyed wine, food, games and a festive gift exchange at a time when pandemic regulations banned most social gatherings.
A leaked video showed senior staff members joking about the alleged party, prompting the resignation of one of Johnson's advisers on Wednesday and piling pressure on the prime minister, who had for days insisted no rules were broken.
Ellis said the investigation, which will be led by the U.K.'s top civil servant, Simon Case, will also look into a gathering allegedly held at Downing Street on Nov. 27, 2020, and another at the Department for Education on Dec. 10.
