LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a birthday party during the first Covid lockdown in June 2020 when social gatherings indoors were banned, ITV News reported on Monday.

The revelation ratchets up the pressure on Johnson over a series of gatherings at his 10 Downing Street residence that would seem to have broken the pandemic lockdown rules imposed by his government.

His office disputed the claim it was a party, telling ITV: “A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the cabinet room after a meeting to wish the prime minister a happy birthday.

“He was there for less than 10 minutes.”

The channel said it was alleged the prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, helped organise the party on the afternoon of June 19.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2022