UK Newspaper Archive

The Independent reports that “chaotic lockdown parties and all-night drinking at Downing Street” have been alleged as the prime minister prepares to release Sue Gray’s report.

Johnson is expected to need a “phenomenal explanation” to save his job, after whistleblowers claimed that he held “lockdown parties where staff were sleeping off hangovers on Number 10’s couches”.

A picture published by The Daily Star shows the prime minister raising a glass at a leaving party in Downing Street during lockdown restrictions, which has sparked fresh accusations that he lied to parliament.

The Independent reports that Boris Johnson’s premiership has been thrown into even greater peril with the publication of photographs showing him drinking wine with Downing Street staff during England’s second COVID lockdown in 2020.

The PM is waiting to see MPs’ reactions to the first photos that have emerged of him drinking at a lockdown-busting party at 10 Downing Street, the i reports.

In the Daily Mail, Boris Johnson’s allies claim Sue Gray is “playing politics” over the release of her report on the lockdown parties in Downing Street.

In anticipation of the publication of the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties at Downing Street, the government is preparing to defend Boris Johnson over Partygate, reports the i.

The Guardian says Boris Johnson’s position is under threat again after the police decision to issue fixed penalty notices to 20 people for lockdown breaches.

Boris Johnson is expected to be among
50 people in Downing Street who will
be questioned by police over lockdown breaching
parties, The Times reports.

The Times leads with Boris Johnson promising to reset a “dysfunctional” Downing Street and persuade rebellious MPs to gain a sense of perspective on allegations of lockdown-breaking parties. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was photographed holding a
can of Estrella beer
at his lockdown
birthday bash, the Daily Mirror reports, adding the picture is believed to be in the hands of the Metropolitan Police. 

The Times concentrates on the police investigation into lockdown parties.

The paper leads by saying Boris Johnson has again refused to quit over partygate despite Sue Gray’s report showing police are investigating 12 lockdown gatherings at No 10.

“Yes PM, you got it wrong… now get it right!” is the Daily Express’s verdict on the publication of Sue Gray’s report into lockdown busting parties at No 10.

The Daily Star has its own take on the inquiry into lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.

The Daily Star has its own take on the inquiry into lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.

The Times says that the senior civil servant investigating lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street is furious after the Met Police told her not to publish key parts of her report.

The Financial Times Weekend edition reports that the Met Police has been accused of a “stitch-up” over the report into Downing Street parties during lockdown.

Boris Johnson faces being interviewed by police after Scotland Yard said Downing Street parties crossed the threshold for a “serious and flagrant” breach of lockdown rules, reports The Times. 

Claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife threw him a surprise birthday in lockdown also make the front page of the Daily Mirror. 

Boris Johnson had a big “birthday bash” with 30 friends while the country was under lockdown restrictions, writes the Daily Star.