Dominic Cummings has accused Boris Johnson of lying to the British Parliament over allegations of breaching the lockdown in Downing Street, insisting he had asked the British Prime Minister to take control of the «crazy house» when he warned him about one «drink party».
The former chief adviser said today that Johnson «waved it aside» when he expressed concerns about Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds’ inviting more than 100 people to the «Bring Your Own Alcohol» event at Lawn 10 on May 20, 2020.
“Regardless of the other chain of events,” Cummings said in relation to that day alone, “the prime minister lied to Parliament about parties” by insisting there had been no events that would violate the coronavirus rules.
«It’s not me alone but other eyewitnesses who discussed it at the time swore under oath that’s what happened,» he said.
Downing Street again denied that Johnson had knowledge of the event in advance.
A spokesman said the prime minister stood by his interpretation in parliament last week that he believed an action occurred when he found staff members huddled in the park.
The new allegations came after Education Minister Nadim Zahawi insisted that a wave of striking new policies announced were not an attempt to save Johnson from being ousted as prime minister amid calls for his resignation, including from six Conservative MPs.
In an updated blog post today, Cummings said he warned Reynolds that his email invitation to employees «violated the rules.»
Amidst a discussion about the future of the Cabinet Secretary and PPS himself, which has been going on for days, I said to the Prime Minister something like: ‘Martin invited the building to a drinking party, that’s what I’m talking about, you’ve got to get this insane under control,’ the former chancellor wrote.
UPDATED BLOG: The PM was told about the invitation, he knew it was a bar party, he lied to Parliament https://t.co/J3jslbQV9A pic.twitter.com/UKCxKMM80k
– Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) January 17 2022
The Prime Minister waved her aside.
“The events of May 20 alone, regardless of the other chain of events, mean that the Prime Minister lied to Parliament about the parties.
«Not only me but other eyewitnesses who discussed this at the time swore under oath that this is what happened.»
Johnson admitted attending but insisted he thought it was a business event that could «technically» be within the rules.
Before this claim emerged, he told Parliament that he had «received repeated assurances since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that the Covid rules had not been violated.»
In response to Cummings’ latest claim, a Number 10 spokesperson said: «It is not true that the Prime Minister was forewarned of the event. As he said earlier this week, he tacitly believed this was a work event.
«He has apologized to the House of Representatives and is committed to making another statement as soon as the investigation is over.»
Meanwhile, reports indicated that ministers were making a series of political announcements, including entrusting the military with the responsibility to prevent small boats from crossing the canal and freezing BBC licensing fees, as part of «Operation Red Meat» to save the prime minister.
«Honestly, I don’t know that at all,» Zahawi told BBC Breakfast.
«The government doesn’t work like that,» he added.
However, Culture Minister Nadine Doris said the next announcement of the BBC’s licensing fee would «be the last», reopening the debate over the company’s future.
It is reported that Home Secretary Priti Patel will announce within weeks that the Royal Navy will spearhead controversial «bounce» tactics to keep boats carrying migrants across the Channel.
Other policy announcements promoted as part of Johnson’s bid to fight include bids to reduce the NHS backlog and push for the long-awaited Leveling Up White Paper.
But Zahawi said the policies «are on the list because they are the government’s statement.»
Speaking on Sky News, he said it would be a «good idea» to have «one command and control» to handle the canal crossings.
«And that includes not only naval vessels but all other vessels, including the Frontier Force, so that you really have a coordinated operation in terms of small boats,» he said.
He said the government wanted to «prosecute illegal smugglers who put the lives of these people at risk.»
But when he was told that those weren’t who were on the boats, he added, «Well, they’re who we want.»
No news is bad news
magazine support
for you contributions You’ll help us keep delivering the stories that matter to you
Support us now
Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: «Let’s not pretend this is anything other than what it is, and it’s a very obvious dead cat strategy from the government to distract from the completely disastrous leadership context the Prime Minister is facing at the moment.» «
Zahawi insisted Johnson would remain in office after other party allegations surfaced.
Asked three times today if the Prime Minister was safe, he said: «Yes, he is, because he is human and we make mistakes.
«And in fact, he came to the dispatch box, apologized and said he would present himself completely to Parliament, because this is our parliamentary democracy.»
Senior official Sue Gray, who is investigating a number of potentially breaching incidents of the rules, has questioned Johnson, according to reports.
Al-Zahawi said she should be allowed to conduct her investigation into reports of incidents of breaches of coronavirus restrictions in Westminster after «the prime minister presented himself to this investigation».