Fresh photos of UK PM Boris Johnson drinking reignite partygate row

The images of the prime minister raising a toast at a gathering were said to be taken during a national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The UK government is expected this week to publish the long-awaited Sue Gray report on the events held at Johnson’s Downing Street office

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson raises a glass during a party at Downing Street in an image said to be taken in November 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: ITV News via Reuters

Published: 1:33am, 24 May 2022Updated: 1:50am, 24 May 2022

Britain’s ITV news channel on Monday published new photographs of Prime Minister Boris Johnson drinking at a leaving party at his Downing Street residence, reigniting opposition accusations that he breached his own Covid-19 lockdown rules.

The photographs were taken at a gathering in honour of Downing Street’s outgoing director of communications Lee Cain in November 2020, an event previously investigated by police for potential breaches of the law.

Monday’s photographs show Johnson making a speech and raising a toast, with half a glass in his hands, ITV said.

At that time, large gatherings with people outside your own household were banned after England had been put back into a national lockdown due to rising cases of Covid-19.

A protester holds a sign showing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he stands in front of the entrance to Downing Street in London in April. Photo: AP

Reuters could not independently verify when or where the pictures were taken. Johnson’s office has said police had access to all information during their investigation, including photos.