In the picture, Johnson is shown on screen, where he is seen in his office sitting near two other people, reading questions, according to The Mirror.
CNN has not independently verified the details of the quiz party, which the Mirror said took place on December 15. A Downing Street spokesman said it was a “virtual quiz” and Johnson had “participated briefly” to thank staff.
While the photo shows Johnson with just two other people, a source told the Mirror that “many employees were huddled around computers, discussing questions and retyping fizz, wine and beer”, a statement. which CNN has not independently verified.
According to official guidance at the time, “despite working exemptions, you may not hold a Christmas lunch or party at work where it is primarily social activity. guild and not allowed by the rules of your level.”
London was subject to Level 2 restrictions at the time of the inspection, which said there should be no mixing of households in the home, with the exception of so-called support bubbles and up to six people outside.
An internal investigation by Cabinet Secretary Johnson, the UK’s most senior civil servant, is underway into three events from last year: an alleged Downing Street party on 27 November; gather at the Department of Education on December 10; and a party accused at number 10 on December 18.
Johnson and other leading Conservatives have denied any rules have been broken.
In response to the Mirror’s report on the alleged quiz party on December 15, announced late Saturday, a Downing Street spokesman told CNN in a statement: “This is a virtual test. Downing Street employees are often required to be in the office to work on Responding to the pandemic, those who were in the office for work could have attended virtually from their desks.
“The Prime Minister briefly participated in virtually an audit to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year,” the spokesman added.
Asked about Mirror’s story on BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested people could judge for themselves whether the rules had been breached.
“These are people who work together. No drinks here. I don’t think there’s a rule against recognizing Christmas with tinsel or hat,” he said, according to PA Media.
“Ten to 15 minutes to thank his team, who worked all hours on virtual screens during a pub test – I think people can think for themselves about that.”
Labor leader Keir Starmer also told the BBC that allegations related to the test needed to be looked into, but “it is very difficult to see how that complies with the rules.”
She added: “Despite repeated denials, it now appears there have been plenty of parties, gatherings and the Prime Minister is even taking part in a carnival check-up.”
The Labor Party’s press office tweeted that on December 15 of last year, Starmer wrote to Johnson “urging him to urgently convene COBRA to discuss the worsening Covid situation.” The UK government’s Cobra Commission is an inter-departmental group that can be convened during national emergencies.
“We now know that the Prime Minister held a Covid rule-breaking Christmas test that evening instead,” the Labor Party tweet continued.
Johnson faced fierce criticism Wednesday after a leaked video obtained by CNN affiliate ITV News showed senior Downing Street employees joking about a Christmas party. The birth is believed to have been on December 18 of last year.
On December 17, the government sent out a tweet warning “you must not hold a Christmas lunch or party at work, where it is primarily a social activity.”
Johnson has responded to the allegations, telling the House of Commons on Wednesday that “I was furious when I saw that clip,” adding, “I have been assured numerous times since these allegations surfaced that There are no parties and no rules of Covid to be broken.”
Downing Street and Doyle both declined to comment to CNN while “under review.”
CNN’s Laura Smith-Spark writes from London, while Sugan Pokharel reports from Atlanta and George Engels from London. CNN’s Luke McGee and Sarah Dean contributed to this report.
.
