Boris Johnson’s government has been rocked by several accusations of rule-breaking parties held while coronavirus restrictions separated family and friends across the country.

An investigation has been launched into a number of the alleged events that took place in Whitehall and Downing Street while COVID-19 rules were in force throughout 2020.

It was originally supposed to be led by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case. But he has since been forced to recuse himself from heading the investigation after it was revealed a Christmas event was held in his own private office in December 2020.

The inquiry is now being led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, a former government ethics chief.

The investigation will cover the newest allegations of “socially distanced drinks” in the Downing Street garden on 20 May during the first national lockdown.

And it will look into the reported festive bash in Number 10 on 18 December, which initially triggered the “partygate” controversy and has led to a growing number of claims being made.

Ms Gray’s inquiry might also include a number of other events that are alleged to have taken place.

What are the alleged events?

• 15 May 2020

The prime minister is reported to have joined Number 10 staff for a gathering in Downing Street.

According to both the Guardian and Independent, Mr Johnson was present for around 15 minutes and told one aide inside Number 10 that they deserved a drink for “beating back” coronavirus.

It was reported that about 20 staff drank wine and spirits and ate pizza following a COVID-19 news conference that day.

Some were said to have been in offices inside Number 10 while others went into the Downing Street garden.

An image published by The Guardian allegedly shows Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie drinking wine with the prime minister’s key aide, Martin Reynolds, on the garden terrace that day.

Sources were quoted as saying that some staff drank until late into the evening.

Matt Hancock, who was then health secretary and had earlier that afternoon delivered the 5pm Downing Street news conference, was also claimed to have been seen at one point.

But both publications said there was no suggestion that either Mr Johnson or Mr Hancock drank alcohol themselves, or stayed late.

Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s former chief adviser, has insisted the photograph of himself, Mr Johnson, Mrs Johnson with the couple’s newborn baby, and Mr Reynolds was not an example of rule breaking but was instead the continuation of a Number 10 meeting.

• 20 May 2020

Number 10 staff were invited to a some “socially distanced drinks” to “make the most of the lovely weather” during the first national lockdown, according to a leaked email seen by ITV News.

Mr Johnson and Carrie are understood to have been among attendees instructed to “bring your own booze” to the event by Mr Reynolds.

The email reads: “Hi all, After what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”

Just an hour earlier Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had given a Downing Street news briefing, telling people they could “meet one other person from outside their household” in a public place outside, providing social distancing was maintained.

It is believed that about 40 staff took up the invitation, with pressure mounting on Mr Johnson to address whether he attended or not.

The Metropolitan Police said it is “aware” of the reports and is in “contact with the Cabinet Office” over the matter.

• 13 November 2020

Mr Cummings left Number 10 clutching a box of his belongings, halfway through England’s second national lockdown.

According to Mr Cummings, despite the national lockdown, a party then took place in the Downing Street flat where the prime minister lives with his wife.

Number 10 has denied this.

The Times has also reported that separately that evening, the PM gave a leaving speech for his outgoing communications chief Lee Cain.

• 25 November 2020

The Treasury has confirmed “impromptu drinks” occurred when England was locked down due to rising coronavirus cases.

The Times reported that around two dozen civil servants were present for the drinks on November 25 last year, while officials worked on the autumn Spending Review.

A Treasury spokesman said: “A number of HMT staff came into the office to work on the Spending Review 2020.

“We have been made aware that a small number of staff had impromptu drinks around their desks after the event.

“The Treasury did not organise an in-person departmental party last Christmas.”

At the time, non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues were closed as well as pubs, bars and restaurants, and people were urged to stay at home except for limited reasons including work if it could not be done from home.

The Times said Chancellor Rishi Sunak was not at the event and it is understood he was not aware of it at the time.

• 27 November 2020

During the second lockdown, the prime minister is reported to have made a speech at a leaving party for a member of staff.

• 10 December 2020

Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education Susan Acland-Hood has confirmed to MPs that a party was held at the department which was also attended by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson.

The event, first reported by the Daily Mirror, was at a time when London was in Tier 2, with indoor mixing banned.

• 14 December 2020

The Times reported that a party was held at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) with Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey and “at least two dozen party aides and volunteers”.

It is described by the newspaper as a “raucous bash”.

A Conservative spokesperson told Sky News: “CCHQ staff became aware of an unauthorised social gathering in basement of Matthew Parker Street organised by the Bailey campaign on 14th December. Formal disciplinary action was taken against four CCHQ staff seconded to the campaign.”

• 15 December 2020

A picture has emerged of the prime minister is taking part in an online Downing Street quiz flanked by colleagues.

The image, published by the Sunday Mirror, shows a screen with Mr Johnson sitting in front of a laptop in the No 10 library.

Downing Street said the Conservative Party leader had “briefly” taken part “virtually” in the quiz.

The Sunday Mirror said the event happened on December 15.

In response, Labour accused the PM of presiding over a “culture of disregard for the rules”.

Official guidance at the time stated: “Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”

The Sunday Mirror quoted a source who claimed many staff were huddled by computers, conferring on questions and drinking alcohol while the quiz was taking place.

It reported Mr Johnson surprised staff by turning up on screen as quiz master for one round lasting between 10 and 15 minutes.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “This was a virtual quiz.

“Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.

“The prime minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.”

• 16 December 2020

The Daily Mirror reported that Department for Transport staff held a Christmas party in a Whitehall office, although Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was said not to have been involved in any gathering.

A DfT spokesperson said: “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 16 December, where food and drink was consumed.

“We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgement.”

• 17 December 2020

Staff in the private office of Cabinet Secretary Simon Case took part in a virtual quiz.

Sky News understands the event was described as a “Christmas party” in the diary and involved six people in the office – those who had already been on a rota to be in the office – and around six people taking part at home.

The event lasted an hour with people enjoying snacks and drinks at their desks.

Although Mr Case did not take part, he is understood to have walked through the office to get to his personal office and so was aware of what was happening.

At the end of the day, he walked out and thanked staff in an address lasting five to ten minutes.

• 18 December 2020

Staff reportedly held a cheese and wine night in Downing Street, just days after after stricter Tier 3 restrictions come into effect in London – meaning people were not allowed to mix indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

The party reportedly carried on until 2am with Secret Santa gifts exchanged.

Downing Street director of communications Jack Doyle is also said to have addressed staff and handed out awards.

Around 40 people were in attendance, according to sources who have spoken to Sky News.

A leaked video – filmed four days after the alleged drinks do – showed senior Downing Street aides joking about a “fictional” party.

It led to the resignation of Mr Johnson’s adviser Allegra Stratton.

What other events are alleged to have taken place?

• Other cases

Meanwhile, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that staff working for Therese Coffey drank alcohol and ate takeaways “late into the evening” on a number of occasions while coronavirus restrictions were in place.

It comes after the Sunday Mirror reported that political staff and officials frequently drank after work until the early hours of the morning, and ordered food to Ms Coffey’s office at the DWP.

The newspaper said some of these evenings took place while hospitality and office parties were banned under COVID regulations.

The DWP has confirmed there were times when alcohol was consumed in a work space outside the cabinet minister’s Whitehall office but stressed it took place while work was continuing past normal employment hours.

A source said the desks in the office were socially distanced and there was “no party atmosphere going on”.

Who is now leading the investigation?

Sue Gray is a long-serving civil servant who was previously the government’s ethics chief.

As director general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office, she led an investigation into former prime minister Theresa May’s deputy, Damian Green.

It prompted Mr Green’s sacking in 2017 after he was found to have lied about pornography being discovered on his House of Commons computer.

Ms Gray has previously been described, in the memoirs of former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister David Laws, as the person who “runs Britain” and the “real leader” of the UK.

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