By Department for Transport apologises for lockdown Christmas party
The Department for Transport has released an apology regarding the lockdown Christmas party which took place last year.
The Daily Mirror recently reported that senior civil servants were believed to be at a lockdown Christmas party on Wednesday 16 December 2020.
The department has since confirmed the incident, labelling it as an ‘error of judgement’, the BBC revealed.
Reports suggest that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was displeased with the recent news of the lockdown parties.
There were allegedly over seven Parliamentary gatherings over the Christmas period last year whilst strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have both denied attending numerous lockdown parties.
According to The Mirror, the Department for Transport held a lockdown Christmas party – minus Grant Shapps – whilst London was in Tier 3 of restrictions which banned gatherings.
A spokesperson for the department told the BBC: “Fewer than a dozen staff who were working in the office had a low-key, socially distanced, gathering in the large open-plan office after work on the 16 December, where food and drink was consumed.
“We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgement.”
They added that Shapps was “deeply unhappy about this behaviour, which he knew nothing about and in no way condones”.
The lockdown Christmas parties all resulted in an investigation being launched by the Metropolitan Police.
It has since been revealed by the BBC, told by sources, that ‘impromptu drinks’ took place on Friday 13 November 2020, the day Dominic Cummings left as chief adviser to Boris Johnson, as well as on Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 November 2020.
The Department of Education confirmed a gathering on Thursday 10 December 2020 and another ‘unauthorised social gathering’ took place on Monday 14 December 2020.
The following day, a Christmas quiz allegedly took place in the Cabinet Office.
An official Downing Street Christmas party occurred on Friday 18 December 2020.
The Department for Work and Pensions has also confirmed numerous gatherings were held whilst they were working late in the office.
(Image: Jordhan Madec)
