‘Toxic culture and ridiculous theatrics’: Inside story of Boris’ No 10 lockdown from whistleblower who saw it all

Former Downing Street official reveals epic scale of rule-breaking during Covid crisis, writes Adam Forrest

Boris Johnson in spotlight again over Partygate (Getty/The Independent)

Partygate has proved to be the defining political scandal of the era, bringing down a prime minister and eroding Britons’ trust in government to lead the nation at a time of crisis.

Now, a Downing Street insider has lifted the lid on the epic scale of the rule-breaking, revealing a “toxic” culture which saw senior staff scoff at the idea of following strict Covid guidelines put in place for the rest of us.

The former staff member, who worked at the heart of No 10 throughout the pandemic, told The Independent about the lockdown debauchery and what Boris Johnson really knew about now-notorious revelry.

Drinking culture

The drinking of Mr Johnson’s staff during the Covid crisis was so rife it was scheduled into their electronic calendars – 4pm every Friday was “wine-time”.

Despite curbs on social gatherings, birthday parties and leaving dos and week-night drinking continued unabated. “There were so many parties. They were every Friday at least, and often some week nights,” the former No 10 staff member said.

The parties were rowdy. As top civil servant Sue Gray’s report found, a June 2020 leaving do featured karaoke, “excessive” boozing which someone threw up and a fight between two staff.

A December 2020 Christmas party – one of the 15 events looked at by Ms Gray – saw red wine was spilled over a wall and the office’s stationary supplies.

The former No 10 official said: “Senior staff often stayed all night, sleeping under desks. One colleague was so drunk he was found passed out on the stairs.”

Boris Johnson at leaving do in November 2020 (Cabinet Office/PA)

Mask wearing and social distancing

The whistle-blower said neither mask wearing nor social distancing was followed – revealing an “utterly ridiculous” charade which saw rules followed whenever TV cameras were around.

“It was so widely accepted that we were all breaking the rules that we would receive operational notes from security to be aware that a camera crew were outside, and to remember to stay 2m apart when in front of the cameras.”

They added: “When Sky News were live outside we all had to pretend we were adhering to the rules, it was pure theatrics.”

Mr Johnson announced a national lockdown on 23 March 2020. Immediately afterwards, he “crowded” next to staff to watch himself on screen.

“There he was on camera telling the nation to isolate, As soon as they stopped filming, he and about five others crowded round a tiny screen to watch himself back – it was ridiculous. Days later he had Covid.”

Boris Johnson has continued to deny wrongdoing (PA Wire)

Travel during Covid

The double standards when it came to mask wearing continued when staff headed out with Mr Johnson on work trips.

The whistleblower said staff were told only to bother with masks when cameras were around during a July 2020 trip to North Yorkshire for Mr Johnson and his then home secretary Priti Patel.

“Boris and Priti were on a train up north and we were all crammed into a VIP section of a train,” they said. “Every time we were going through a station we’d all be ordered to put our masks on in case there were cameras on the platform.”

They added: “We were all ill, all of the time, I had multiple chest infections and Covid twice. I asked a senior colleague why we weren’t wearing masks inside early on, and she said ‘There’s no point, I’ve seen the science’.

Boris Johnson and Priti Patel on journey from North Yorkshire to London in May 2020 (Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing St)

What Boris knew

Mr Johnson attended eight of the 15 parties investigated by Ms Gray – including the May 2020 “bring your own booze” garden party and his June 2020 birthday bash which eventually saw him fined by the Metropolitan Police.

“The idea that he knew nothing about them is nonsense – there is no way he didn’t know they were going on,” said the whistleblower – though the then-PM mostly drank water when stopping in at events.

“The only times I saw him with wine was at Chequers and in the garden. He was happy for people to be drinking, I think he thought it was boosting morale.”

“He wanted to be part of the party, he chatted around, but would only typically spend 15 to 20 minutes there before going up to the flat.”

Boris at ‘bring your own booze’ garden party in May 2020 (Guardian / eyevine)

‘Toxic masculine culture’ and shredding machines

No 10 employees, used to the stern atmosphere imposed by Theresa May, enjoyed a “sudden rush of power” when Mr Johnson walked through the door in July 2019.

“As time went on, the untouchable feeling of ‘we can do what we want’ caught on, and this was easily represented in the parties which took place. Staff became arrogant, untouchable and weren’t afraid of exercising that feeling.”

The ex-official also condemned the “toxic masculine culture”, blamed the man in charge. They said Mr Johnson “respected and listened to men more than women”, adding: “The men could do the bare minimum, pally up with the prime minister and get away with it.”

The whistleblower also revealed that there was a “panic to get rid of evidence” when the first Partygate stories broke at the end of 2021. “People started shredding things and deleting pictures.”

“[Then-No 10 communications director] Jack Doyle had handed out a load of awards at these parties and people had them hung up on the walls, but people ended up shredding them because they were evidence a gathering had happened.”

The Independent has approached Mr Johnson, Ms Patel and Mr Doyle for comment. No 10 declined to comment.