Let’s have a toast to hypocrisy!
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson – under fire for a series of parties held at 10 Downing Street during his country’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns – was snapped hoisting a can of beer during one of the celebrations, according to reports.
The damming photo was unearthed as part of an investigation into the 2020 and 2021 social gatherings, which seemingly disregarded the country’s pandemic restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
The image of Johnson’s toast, which shows him holding a can of Estrella beer in the government building’s Cabinet Room, was shot by the prime minister’s official taxpayer-funded photographer, The Mirror reported.
It is believed to be one of 300 pictures handed over to the Metropolitan Police by civil servant Sue Gray as part of the investigation, according to media reports.
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, called for the photos to be made public.
“The Downing Street photographer is funded by the taxpayer, and the public have every right to see the photos they pay to have taken, including any of the prime minister’s birthday party,” Rayner told The Mirror.
Johnson’s office has admitted staff “gathered briefly” at a surprise birthday celebration organized by his wife, Carrie Johnson – but said the PM only stayed 10 minutes.
