At 10 Downing Street, alcohol is apparently more commonplace than the exception. That could now cost Prime Minister Boris Johnson dearly.
the essentials in brief
- Top official Sue Gray conducts investigations into the parties at the Premier’s office.
- The country is currently eagerly awaiting the result.
Some invite you to “Prosecco Tuesday”, others end the week with “Wine-time Friday”. Alcohol is apparently more commonplace than the exception in the official residence of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – this is suggested by numerous media reports that Downing Street does not deny.
It is this “booze culture” – i.e. “drinking culture” – that could now bring down the head of government. Because even during the corona lockdowns, when strict distance rules applied, employees met repeatedly for social exchanges including drinks at farewells, Christmas parties or in the garden of the famous “Number 10” property. The country is currently eagerly awaiting the result of an internal investigation.
Will top official Sue Gray, who is leading the investigation, personally blame the prime minister for breaking rules – leading to his resignation? Political commentators are divided on how far Gray will go for it. But it already seems certain that she will condemn the “booze culture” in Downing Street.
“Prime Minister doesn’t have a drinking problem, but Number 10 does have one”
For days, top politicians from Johnson’s Conservative Party, such as General Secretary Oliver Dowden, have been promising to completely transform the culture at the seat of government. “The PM doesn’t have a drinking problem, but Number 10 does,” former top official Sonia Khan told the Guardian newspaper.
Drinking according to a schedule, a wine cabinet in the office and refills by the bottle with a trolley suitcase: the reports of alcohol consumption in Downing Street have caused ridicule and outrage across the country. About 50 employees are said to have had regular reminders of “Wine-time Fridays” (wine Fridays) as an appointment in their electronic calendars, another team invited to “Prosecco Tuesday”.
In December 2020, a £200 wine cooler was even delivered. Employees regularly refilled the 34-bottle container at the nearby supermarket – they carried the drinks into the building in a trolley case.
The newspaper The Times quoted a Downing Street insider as saying that the party continued until late at night. “Some people slept their hangovers off on sofas in the building, and in the mornings the cleaners had to pick empty bottles off desks,” it said. The “Booze Culture”, as the “Times” emphasized, was supported from the very top. Johnson himself repeatedly encouraged drinkers to “let off steam,” the Mirror wrote.
Churchill was already famous for his consumption
Alcohol has long played a role in political London. Johnson’s role model, Winston Churchill, was famous for his consumption: the Prime Minister and World War II winner drank a shot of whiskey with tonic in the morning. Secretary of State Liz Truss, who is considered Johnson’s possible successor, regularly invites wealthy supporters to “Fizz with Liz” with sparkling drinks. Politicians, journalists and lobbyists meet for an after-work pint in pubs like the Red Lion. One of the most important whispered topics in the “Bermuda Triangle of Westminster” between Downing Street, Parliament and ministries: who drank where with whom?
Similar scenes can be observed in many capitals. Alcohol also plays an important role in politics in Germany. Political Ash Wednesday, strong beer tapping, Oktoberfest are must-attend events for politicians. But the lockdown parties on Downing Street are breaking the tolerance limits of many Britons. Almost everyone knows someone who died from Covid-19. Millions adhered to strict social distancing rules for months. Many Britons take it personally that those who made the rules apparently did not follow them themselves, but even celebrated with a lot of alcohol. The scandal has sent Johnson’s poll numbers plummeting.
The highlight is an e-mail from his office manager Martin Reynolds on May 20, 2020 to around 100 colleagues. The employees should “make the best of the nice weather” and meet in the garden after work for “drinks at a distance”. His request is already legendary: “Bring your own alcohol” (bring your own booze). Also important to Johnson’s fate is whether he knew about this invitation and whether he knew when he walked in that it was a party. He strictly denies both. The Prime Minister claims that he thought it was a working meeting.
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