"Covid rules have been followed at all times."
That was the line Boris Johnson and Downing Street stuck to when the Mirror first broke the story of lockdown parties in Downing Street.
But last month Scotland Yard told the Prime Minister he would be fined for breaking the Covid laws that he created - by attending a surprise birthday party in Downing Street on June 19 2020.
And today, Sue Gray's long-awaited report showed how he attended eight gatherings, holding a glass of fizz aloft at one and giving speeches at others.
While the PM was not personally accused of drunk or rowdy behaviour, the report said: "Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen.
"Some of the more junior civil servants believed that their involvement in some of these events was permitted given the attendance of senior leaders."
Now the Commons Privileges Committee is investigating whether Boris Johnson lied to Parliament.
They will, in particular, look at his claims that all rules were followed - and a time when he was asked if there was a party in No10 on 13 November 2020, and replied: "No".
Boris Johnson insists he is not a liar, and it was in fact his "duty" to "lead" staff by attending leaving drinks during lockdonwn.
So what did he actually say? We run through the Prime Minister's own words on Partygate.
December 1: ‘All guidance was followed completely’
After the Mirror revealed a No10 Christmas do, Boris Johnson told Keir Starmer in the Commons: “All guidance was followed completely in No10.
'May I recommend that he does the same with his own Christmas party, which is advertised for 15 December?”
Keir Starmer’s party was scheduled for December 2021, not 2020, and he cancelled it anyway as Omicron cases rose.
The PM claimed that Mr Starmer “drivels on irrelevantly about wallpaper and parties, playing politics” as he sought to dismiss the scrutiny.
December 3: 'We followed the guidance at all times'
On a visit to a vaccine centre, the mask-clad PM denied rules had been broken at Christmas parties in Downing Street
He said: "That's not true. We followed the guidance throughout. We continue to follow the guidance."
Pressed by a journalist, he said: "We followed the guidance at all times."
Asked again, he said" "We followed the guidance at all times."
Pressed a third time, he said: "I'm sorry, but I'm just going to have to tell you: We followed the guidance at all times, and we will continue to follow the guidance at all times."
December 7: ‘All the guidelines were observed’
Asked about a Christmas party, the PM told reporters: “What I can tell you is all the guidelines were observed, continue to be observed, and we’re getting on with the job as we have been throughout of dealing with the priorities of the people.”
He added: “The guidelines were followed at all times… I’ve satisfied myself that the guidelines were followed at all times”.
December 7: ‘Covid rules have been followed at all times’
As ITV published footage of No10 staff joking about a Christmas party, a No10 spokesperson told the broadcaster: "There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times."
December 8: ‘Party made me sickened and furious’
When video emerged of staff joking about a No10 Christmas party, Boris Johnson said he was “sickened myself and furious about that”.
He added: “I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken.
"That is what I have been repeatedly assured.
"But I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible.”
December 8: 'There was no party on 13 November 2020'
Boris Johnson was asked: "Will the Prime Minister tell the House whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 November?"He replied: "No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times."Photos leaked to ITV News - and those later published in the Sue Gray report - showed him holding a glass of fizz aloft at a leaving drinks for aide Lee Cain on that very day.
December 8: ‘People can bring allegations to me, or to the police’
The PM was asked by the Mirror at a No10 press conference if he would extend an inquiry to cover “any other gatherings, events, parties - use the term that you choose”.
He replied: “All the evidence I can see is that people in this building have stayed within the rules.
"If that turns out not to be the case, and people wish to bring allegations to my attention or to the police or whoever, then of course there will be proper sanctions.”
December 8: ‘All Covid rules have been followed’
Told by the Mirror that she hadn’t denied a 2020 Christmas party took place, and asked to deny a second party on November 27, the PM’s Press Secretary said: “I would just repeat again that all Covid rules have been followed.”
December 13: ‘I certainly broke no rules’
The PM was even more direct, speaking about his own behaviour for the first time - after the Mirror revealed he hosted a virtual Christmas quiz with two staff by his side.
He said: “I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules. All that is being looked into.
"But if I may respectfully say to you… of course, all that must be properly gone into – you’ll be hearing from the Cabinet Secretary about it all.”
December 15: ‘I follow the rules’
At a No10 press conference, Boris Johnson again pointed to his own personal behaviour.
Despite previously being rapped for non-party rule-breaking by Parliament’s standards watchdog, he said: “On your point about rules, I follow the rules.
"Everybody across politics should follow the rules."
December 20: ‘Those were people at work, talking about work’
After an image emerged of a separate No10 garden party on 15 May 2020, with wine and cheese and more than a dozen attendees, the PM said:
“Those were people at work, talking about work. I have said what I have to say about that."
Rishi Sunak also denied breaking rules
December 7: 'I did not attend any parties'
Chancellor Rishi Sunak was asked by Labour MP Karl Turner if he, his officials, or special advisors, attended parties in Downing Street on November 27 or December 18 2020.
He replied: "No, I did not attend any parties."
Mr Sunak has now been told he'll be fined for attending the PM's birthday bash on June 19 2020.
