Boris Johnson’s senior media adviser warned that a party in the Downing Street Garden for over 200 people at the height of lockdown was “somewhat of a comms risk” and urged for the event to be cancelled, the Sue Gray report states.
The warning from Lee Cain, whose own leaving party in November 2020 broke lockdown rules, warned that a notorious “Bring Your Own Booze” party on May 20 2020 was too risky.
According to the investigation, Cain sent an email to senior adviser Dominic Cummings and the PM’s private secretary, Martin Reynolds which said: “I’m sure it will be fine – and I applaud the gesture – but a 200 odd person invitation for drinks in the garden of no 10 is somewhat of a comms risk in the current environment.”
The report adds: “ Lee Cain says he subsequently spoke to Martin Reynolds and advised him that the event should be cancelled.
"Martin Reynolds does not recall any such conversation.
"In addition, Dominic Cummings has also said that he too raised concerns, in writing. We have not found any documentary evidence of this.”
The details are in the scathing official report on 16 different booze-fuelled parties in Downing Street during lockdown.
Among the findings are that former proprietary and ethics chief Helen MacNamara provided a karaoke machine for a Cabinet Office gathering.
The then-deputy Cabinet secretary provided it for the June 18 2020 event for the departure of a No 10 official.
The leaving do for Lee Cain occurred when “Wine Time Friday” in Downing Street would normally take place, the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties said.
Gray said she was told the event on November 13 2020 was not pre-planned and that Boris Johnson had joined the gathering on his way to the Downing Street flat.
The Prime Minister made a leaving speech and was among those pictured drinking alcohol at the event.
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