Downing Street and ministers have defended the Prime MInister following the publication over the weekend of a controversial new photo showing Johnson allegedly breaking lockdown rules early in the pandemic last year.
The photo, first published byThe Guardianon Sunday, shows PM Johnson, his wife Carrie and a number of other ministers enjoying wine and cheese outside alongside others in the Downing Street garden on 15 May 2020 - during the first national lockdown.
Downing Street has insisted the photograph shows a “staff meeting”.
The Guardian also reported that 19 people were present at the gathering, and that there were “spirits and pizza inside and outside the building”.
Restrictions in place during the first national lockdown meant that the alleged gathering happened at a time when the British public were still being asked to remain two metres apart from each other, both indoors and outdoors, and were being urged to “stay at home as much as is possible”, while schools did not reopen for another fortnight, and many pubs and restaurants were ordered to remain closed until early July.
The emergence of the photo comes not long after the government was accused of hosting two other mid-lockdown gatherings, during November and December 2020 – which, despite strong criticism from opposition, has continued to deny.
The emergence of the photo over has resulted in national public outcry online over the weekend.
As well as outrage by members of the public on social media, the photo has of course prompted heavy criticism from opposition politicians and parties, with Labour demanding “the truth” about the situation be revealed and Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting insisting that it’s “no laughing matter” how the Prime Minister lies with “ease”.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner also took to Twitter to say: “I guess staff meetings look a bit different if you went to Eton?
“Enough is enough.
“Tell us the truth about what was going on in Downing Street from the very beginning immediately.”
Former Labour politician and onceSecretary of State for Children, Schools and Families also chimed in with some specifics to add that he was “pretty sure this is the view from the 11 Downing Street first floor balcony.”
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury – also said this morning that photo adds to a “culture of impunity” reflected in a number of stories over the last few weeks, adding that the Prime Minister has “made a lifetime of thinking rules don’t apply to him”, and that the country is now in a situation where the public health message is being “undermined”.
Yet despite all of this criticism and demand for the truth to be told, Downing Street has insisted that the photo shows a “staff meeting”.
A government spokesperson explained in a statement: “As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months [and] on this occasion, there were staff meetings following a Number 10 press conference.
“Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace [and] he prime minister’s wife lives in Number 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden.”
This statement by the spokesperson has also been echoed and enforced this morning by Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, who told host Kay Burley during an appearance on Sky News this morning that Downing Street is a “place of work”.
He then said that the meeting was “consistent” with the COVID-19 guidance issued by the government at the time.
“Number 10 is a place of work and also the prime minister’s home and they use the garden for work meetings and that’s what you can see,” he concluded.
Human rights barrister Adam Wagner – who examines coronavirus regulations and interprets them for the public – said in on Twitter over the weekend that he was “doubtful” the gathering “was against the law”, but that it may have been against guidance.
He added that there was “no way of knowing that they weren’t working”.
Featured Image – 10 Downing Street
News
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
New study crowns Leeds as one of the friendliest cities in the UK
Clementine Hall
New research has revealed a global ranking of cities with the best customer service, with Leeds taking one of the top spots.
If you've been wondering which cities across the world are the friendliest of them all, then look no further because MoneySuperMarket have done the work for us in a new study.
In a world where social media culture plays a huge part in people's lives, online customer reviews are pretty important to local businesses.
To uncover the global locations that are home to the best customer service, the businesses insurance experts analysed over 100,000 reviews of leisure and hospitality businesses in 107 cities worldwide.
They looked at the language in the reviews to see how often friendly workers and staff were mentioned, building a global ranking of the cities where customer service truly stands out.
Out of a whopping 107, Leeds came in at a very respectable number 12. Now we think that's pretty good going.
Outside of the UK, Hanoi, Paris, Montreal and Abu Dhabi were highlighted for their friendly customer service whilst Edinburgh tops the global ranking, with Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol also making the world’s top 10.
The top 10 cities in the UK with the best customer service are as follows:
Edinburgh
Liverpool
Birmingham
Bristol
Belfast
Leeds
Glasgow
Cardiff
Manchester
London
Alicia Hempsted spoke on the study: “As businesses grow and engage with more customers, it’s important to make sure they’re protected. Public liability insurance is an important safeguard for those working with the public, helping to cover costs if something goes wrong, while also showing customers that their experience is taken seriously - from the moment they walk through the door to long after they’ve left.”
The Hoot -
20th December 2021 
