Party time: Timeline of key events in the partygate saga

Timeline of party allegations

15 May 2020 - The Prime Minister joined 20 Number 10 staff for a gathering in the garden where wine was drunk. Boris Johnson and his then fiancée Carrie were pictured drinking wine with key aide, Martin Reynolds, on the garden terrace.

Restrictions in place: Full lockdown, although ‘stay at home’ advice had been relaxed. Schools, non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants were all closed. Only two people from different households were allowed to meet in person and they had to be outside in a public place and remain two metres apart. Complete ban on indoor socialising.

20 May 2020 - Around 100 Number 10 staff were invited to "socially distanced drinks" to "make the most of the lovely weather". Reynolds instructed revellers to "bring your own booze".

Restrictions in place: Full lockdown.

19 June 2020 – Boris Johnson attended a party organised by Carrie – who he married on 29 May – to celebrate his 56^th birthday. The event, which was held in the Cabinet Room, was reportedly attended by Lulu Lytle, the interior designer retained by the Johnsons to refurbish their Downing Street flat. Cake was eaten and attendees sang Happy Birthday to the Prime Minister.   

Restrictions in place: There had been a phased reopening of schools in England and non-essential shops had been allowed to open. Indoor social gatherings were not allowed, but groups of six were permitted to meet outdoors. Support bubbles, that allowed people living alone to form an extended household with people in one other home, had been introduced.

13 November 2020 - A party took place in the Downing Street flat where the Prime Minister lives with his wife to celebrate the exit of Dominic Cummings from Number 10. Number 10 has denied this. Johnson also gave a leaving speech for his outgoing communications chief Lee Cain at a gathering of staff.

Restrictions in place: A second national lockdown came into force in England at the start of November, requiring everyone to stay at home. Support bubbles were allowed to remain in place but the Rule of Six had been reversed and people were only allowed to exercise outdoors with one person from another household. Non-essential shops had to close, as did bars and restaurants.

25 November 2020 - There were "impromptu drinks" in the Treasury while officials worked on the autumn Spending Review.

Restrictions in place: National lockdown.

27 November 2020 - The Prime Minister reportedly made a speech at a leaving party for a aide Cleo Watson. It has been reported that as many as 50 people were in attendance.

Restrictions in place: National lockdown.

10 December 2020 - There was a party at the Department for Education, attended by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson. Canapes and drinks were served.

Restrictions in place: On 2 December England returned to the three-tier system of restrictions that had first been introduced in the summer. London was placed in the tier two ‘high alert’ category, the same level if had been in prior to the second national lockdown. Tier two restrictions meant people were forbidden from mixing with other households indoors. The ‘Rule of Six’ applied outdoors.

14 December 2020 - A party was held at Conservative Campaign Headquarters with Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey and "at least two dozen party aides and volunteers".

Restrictions in place: Tier two.

15 December 2020 - The Prime Minister took part in an online Downing Street quiz with colleagues. He attended virtually but other staff members gathered round work computers in the office.

Restrictions in place: Tier two.

15 December 2020 - Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood - chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee - attends a Christmas party for 27 guests at the Cavalry and Guards Club in London’s Piccadilly.

Restrictions in place: Tier two.

16 December 2020 – Around 12 members of staff of transport secretary Grant Shapps held an office party that reportedly included “boozing and dancing”. Shapps did not attend.

Restrictions in place: London entered tier three that day, which further restricted the scope for meeting outside. Six people could gather, but only in public places, not in private gardens.

17 December 2020 - A social event is alleged to have taken place in the office of cabinet secretary Simon Case, described in his diary as a Christmas party. The Cabinet Office also hosted a leaving party for Kate Josephs, the head of the government unit responsible for implementing Covid restrictions.

Restrictions in place: Tier three.

18 December 2020 - Reports of a party in Number 10 with "several dozen" people in attendance. Some attendees wear Christmas jumpers and bring ‘Secret Santa’ gifts.

Restrictions in place: Tier three. A new, stricter tier would be announced by the Prime Minister the following day.

25 December 2020 – Carrie Johnson’s friend Nimco Ali, who is godmother to the Johnson’s son Wilfred, spends Christmas with the family at Downing Street.

Restrictions in place: London entered the new, stricter tier four level on 21 December. Under those rules people were prevented from leaving or entering tier four areas and tier four residents were forbidden to stay away from home overnight. Only two people from different households could meet and that meeting had to take place outdoors.

16 April 2021 – Two “boozy” leaving events held in Downing Street the night before the Queen attended Prince Philip’s funeral alone. Staff reportedly went to a local supermarket for a suitcase full of wine and a spad did a turn as a DJ in the basement of Number 10.

Restrictions in place: Aside from support bubbles, no indoor socialising was allowed with people from other households. Outdoor mixing was restricted to a maximum of six people from two households.

26 May 2021 - A formal leaving party was held for Johnson’s former director of communications James Slack – now deputy editor of The Sun - in the pillared room of Number 10.

Restrictions in place: Outdoor seated events such as football matches were allowed to go ahead with up to 10,000 spectators, but there was a limit of 30 people for private outdoor events. The rule of six people from two households remained for indoor gatherings.