• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Another one! Ex-head of Covid taskforce had No 10 leaving party

The ex-head of the government's Covid taskforce had a leaving party before Christmas 2020.

Henry Goodwin by Henry Goodwin
2022-01-14 16:31
in Politics
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

The ex-head of the government unit responsible for drawing up Covid restrictions held a “boozy” leaving party just days before Christmas 2020, it has emerged.

According to The Telegraph, “dozens” of officials from the Cabinet Office’s Covid-19 taskforce attended the event on 17 December 2020 while the country was under strict restrictions.

Those present allegedly gathered in the taskforce’s Whitehall office, where they drunk and held a party to mark the departure of Kate Josephs, the then director-general.

Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, was allegedly invited to the event – but the Cabinet Office said he “categorically” did not attend.

It took place on the same evening that Case’s staff held a gathering in the private office – and 24 hours before Downing Street staff held their own Christmas Party. 

London had just entered tier three restrictions, with parties banned and people prohibited from mixing indoors with anyone outside their household bubble.

Josephs, who was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen’s Birthday honours, left government the next day.

RelatedPosts

Diane Abbot claims Johnson is ‘rumoured to be one who likes assaulting women’

The Daily Mail ‘has turned on Boris Johnson’

Sir Keir Starmer vows no freedom of movement under plan to ‘make Brexit work’

Conservatives suffer hat-trick of council by-election defeats

The event is now being investigated by Sue Gray, as part of her investigation into allegations of lockdown-busting parties – now totalling 14.

The latest revelations are especially damaging for Johnson because the taskforce is the central body responsible for organising the government’s pandemic response. 

In a message posted on her social media, Josephs wrote: “Last day today, extremely hard to leave the incredible colleagues who make up the Covid taskforce, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve alongside them.”

Josephs now serves as the chief executive officer of Sheffield City Council.

I am today making a statement. I am truly sorry. pic.twitter.com/xWByiiKfV3

— Kate Josephs (@katejosephs) January 14, 2022

It comes hours after Downing Street apologised to Buckingham Palace after it emerged parties were held in Number 10 the day before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.

Two gatherings reportedly took place at Downing Street, with the Prime Minister’s former director of communications James Slack apologising for the “anger and hurt” one of the events – a leaving do held for him – had caused.

A spokesman for the prime minister confirmed No 10 has said sorry to the Palace.

The spokesman said: “It is deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning and No 10 has apologised to the Palace.

“You heard from the PM this week, he’s recognised No 10 should be held to the highest standards, and take responsibility for things we did not get right.”

The day after the events on April 16 2021, the Queen attended her husband Philip’s funeral wearing a face mask and socially distanced from her family at Windsor Castle, in line with Covid restrictions.

Related: Downing St apologises to Queen for partying while she mourned Philip

Tags: Boris JohnsonPartygate

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Villa with Picasso artwork in the POOL is to be auctioned

‘Not what policing has asked for’ as PM threatens to bring in troops while migrants held in army barracks

Gardener captures stunning purple and orange sunrise pictures with clouds that look like UFOs

Charly Bliss Announce First Ever UK Tour Dates

Calls to reinstate sacked Tory MPs who refused to support Withdrawal Agreement

Jeremy Corbyn – We must reject ‘horrible’ anti-transgender rights campaign

Double blow: Brexit Britain locked out of both the EU and major economies

Inspiral Carpet’s legend Stephen Holt supports Share Your Sound

GALLERY: Dessa breaks genres in Tufnell Park

Tips for new project managers

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.