Keir Starmer says Boris Johnson 'must go' after alleged birthday party at Number 10

ITV News has reported that the Prime Minister had a birthday party at Number 10 during the first lockdown in 2020. 

Reports suggest that the gathering, allegedly organised by the prime minister's wife, Carrie Johnson, had up to 30 people in attendance.

Sir Keir Starmer said it was “yet more evidence that we have got a Prime Minister who believes that the rules that he made don’t apply to him”.

“The Prime Minister is a national distraction and he’s got to go,” the Labour leader added.

The Prime Minister is a national distraction.

Millions of people are struggling to pay the bills, but Boris Johnson and his government are spending the whole time mopping up their own rule-breaking, sleaze and deceit.

He’s got to go.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 24, 2022

Shortly after ITV revealed the news, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries tweeted on January 24: "So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for ten minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?"

So, when people in an office buy a cake in the middle of the afternoon for someone else they are working in the office with and stop for ten minutes to sing happy birthday and then go back to their desks, this is now called a party?

— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) January 24, 2022

Downing Street said: “This is totally untrue. In line with the rules at the time the Prime Minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening.”

It is thought that Lulu Lytle, the interior designer behind lavish renovations of his No 10 flat, briefly attended while undertaking work in Downing Street.

A spokeswoman for Soane Britain, the luxury designer co-founded by Ms Lytle, said: “Lulu was present in Downing Street on June 19 working on the refurbishment.

“Lulu was not invited to any birthday celebrations for the Prime Minister as a guest.

“Lulu entered the Cabinet Room briefly as requested, while waiting to speak with the Prime Minister.”

ITV News said that picnic food from M&S was eaten during the afternoon gathering lasting for up to 30 minutes, while Mrs Johnson and Ms Lytle presented the PM with a cake.

Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnson’s under-fire principal private secretary, was also said to have attended.

Civil servant Sue Gray and her team were already aware of the June 19 2020 birthday party allegations and they will not further delay the publication of her inquiry.