The Reputations

Senior Downing Street political staff had to intervene during The First half of 2021 to prevent events at No 10 - such as leaving parties - going ahead, sources have told The Bbc .

The proposed events - suggested by staff, not politicians - would have taken place during the roadmap out of lockdown, which saw restrictions gradually lifted.

Indoor hospitality in England was banned until 17 May 2021 and outdoor mixing - in groups of Six - wasn't permitted until 29 March 2021.

The Prime Minister is coming Under Pressure , following allegations he attended a lockdown drinks in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020.

On Monday, ITV published an email from the Prime Minister 's principal Private Secretary , Martin Reynolds , inviting around 100 staff to the " socially distanced drinks".

Witnesses have told The Bbc Boris Johnson and his wife had been among about 30 people at The Event .

Mr Johnson has not denied he was at The Party , instead pointing to an ongoing investigation into gatherings held in Downing Street.

Former No 10 insiders say those " socially distanced drinks" set a precedent: if a senior civil servant such as Mr Reynolds could give approval to this event, it was unsurprising That more junior staff felt it was acceptable to hold a Christmas Party later That year.

One of them said the 20 May drinks had " lowered the bar" for future events.

Last Friday , he had made it clear in writing That the 20 May event should not go ahead.

But it has now become apparent he was not a lone voice.

A fellow adviser told The Bbc That they were " furious" That the drinks took place.

And another senior member of the political staff at No 10 also tried unsuccessfully to have The Event called off.

A former senior staff member said There had been detailed discussions about meetings which took place outdoors to ensure regulations were observed, But - in their Opinion - There had been " no legal basis" for the " bring your own bottle" event on 20 May 2020.

A long-standing Conservative MP predicted That Sue Gray, the civil servant who is conducting the internal inquiry, would " let the PM off on a technicality" - That Downing Street was both a household and a place of work.

However, some of those who worked at No 10 at The Time maintain That no such loophole would have been credible.

The latest revelations have resulted in a high degree of jeopardy for Boris Johnson .

One Former Member of his staff questioned whether the 20 May event could have gone ahead without his approval, given The Resistance to it from key political staff.

A Conservative MP who is well placed to gauge backbench Opinion told The Bbc That The Mood was now hardening against the Prime Minister .

He suggested That Mr Johnson's behaviour was " impugning The Reputations of Conservative MPs".

Source of news: bbc.com