NHS workers and those who lost loved ones to Covid have shared what they were doing in May 2020, when an alleged Number 10 ‘garden party’ took place.

As images emerged of Downing Street staff enjoying wine and cheese at a ‘work gathering’ on May 15, one doctor said he’d spent the same day taking part a minute’s silence for all those who died.

Another said she’d taken her son to wave at his nan through the window as they were still banned from all meeting face-to-face due to Covid restrictions.

Pictures showing police moving on groups of people from parks have also re-emerged as anger grows over the alleged ‘rule breaking.’

On the same day the Downing Street picture was taken, then health secretary Matt Hancock urged people to avoid socialising in groups at a press conference.

He told Brits not to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to meet up with others.

At the time only two people were allowed to socialise outside, while socially distanced, as the country slowly emerged from months of lockdown.

Number 10 has insisted the image – which shows Mr Johnson, his then-fiancee Carrie, and 17 other staff members – does not show a social occasion but colleagues meeting ‘to discuss work.’

But the picture – first published by the Guardian – has sparked renewed anger among those who followed the rules to the letter.

A doctor, Ajay Verma, tweeted: ‘On Friday 15th May 2020 at 1pm we held a minute’s silence on our ward (and throughout our hospital) in memory of those who died from Covid – little did we know that the PM & friends were enjoying a garden party that same afternoon.’

A lung oncology cancer nurse specialist also shared her memories of May 2020, when hundreds were dying from Covid every day.

Sharing a picture of her tired-looking face marked by having to wear PPE, she said: ‘This was me in May 2020 – exhausted, emotionally and physically spent. 

‘I don’t have words for how I feel looking at Boris and his cheese and wine party that was going on at the same time. Seriously what does it take to get the Tories out?!’

Another woman took to Twitter to say: ‘On the 15th May 2020 when these photos were taken, I was in hospital with my newborn daughter who was born the early hours of that day. Unable to have any visitors and struggling to cope after a difficult labour, whilst Boris and his cronies were having this “business meeting”.’

Andy Caddell said his mother’s funeral was held four days after the alleged party took place.

He tweeted: ‘On 19th May we held my mum’s funeral. Numbers were restricted to fewer than 10 and we had to socially distance during the service. Afterwards we stood in the car park and reminisced because we couldn’t have any function.’

Another said: ‘On 14th May 2020 my mum died at home. The funeral director took her away on the 15th. We could not meet up with family members for mutual support and neither could they visit in the days leading up to her death to say goodbye. We were respecting and following the rules.’

Earlier deputy prime minister Dominic Raab defended the picture, saying it showed staff discussing work.

He told Times Radio: ‘Downing Street used that garden as a place of work. They used it for work meetings. The photo is from a day when, I think, the Prime Minister had just done a press conference.

‘And sometimes they’ll have a drink after a long day or a long week. And that’s not against the regulations.’

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