There is a further group of four individuals sitting at a table on the terrace. It has not been possible to identify these individuals, but there is no reason to suggest that this was anything other than a further work meeting.
20 May 2020; a gathering in the garden of No 10 Downing Street for No 10 staff
Extracts of regulations and guidance
On 26 March 2020 restrictions on leaving one's home without a reasonable excuse, first announced on 23 March, came into legal effect in England. Very limited justifications permitted travel to work where it was not reasonably possible to work from home. Participating in a gathering of more than two persons in public was prohibited except here the gathering was "essential for work purposes".
On 13 May 2020 some restrictions were relaxed to allow meetings outdoors for exercise or recreation with one person from another household. Guidance encouraged those who could not work from home to go back to work. At work, social distancing guidance applied with workplaces required "to maintain 2m social distancing wherever possible, including while arriving at and departing from work, while in work, and when travelling between sites". Leaving or being outside one's home without a reasonable excuse continued to be prohibited.
Summary
On 20 May 2020 there was a gathering in the No 10 garden. The investigation was told that the event was for the purposes of boosting staff morale following a challenging period for staff. The invitation for the event was made initially to No 10 staff and was then extended to other individuals and teams in the Cabinet Office. It was an event planned in advance by officials and attended by a significant number of people. Some concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate to hold the event.
Preparations
On 13 May 2020 at 14.53 a No 10 official ("No 10 Official 1") sent an email to the No 10 Private Secretary email group and to a special adviser. It read:
"Hi all, It's meant to be nice weather next week so shall we try to do a socially distanced drinks in the garden on Wednesday or Thursday?
