of Communications. On 12 June there was an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the two that read:
[Martin Reynolds] [18:31] "No 10 official (1)’s leaving drinks next week - can we discuss handling!"
[Lee Cain] [18:32] "Yes - not sure how we do it but want to do something"
[Martin Reynolds] [19:01] "Is it safer to do a larger event indoors but with some people carrying on outside afterwards?"
[Lee Cain] [19:20] "I’m not sure it works at all to be honest, which would be a shame. I don’t see how we can have some kind of party though"
[Martin Reynolds] [19:23] So you are saying nothing for [No 10 official (1)]?"
[Lee Cain [18:32] "I think it’s your decision my friend, not mind [sic]! But it obviously comes with rather substantial comms risks"
On 17 June 2020 there were email exchanges between No 10 official (1) and a second No 10 official (No 10 official (2)), (subject matter ’My Leaving’) regarding the logistics of the event.
No 10 official (1) emailed No 10 official (2) and another No 10 official (No 10 official (3)) stating:
"Hi It would be nice to do the speech bit either tomorrow or Friday with a zoom option so I can invite a wider No 10 audience (i.e. Questions, R&I, speechwriters DCs, PU, press, media spads, covid lot, political team etc)…….."
No 10 official (2) replied to stating:
"Hi Martin [Reynolds] and Stuart [Glassborow] would like to do speeches tomorrow when we have our drinks which aren’t drinks. What time are we planning on the drinks? I think we should aim to do speeches in the Cabinet Room via Zoom after 6.30 when the PM has gone and Dom’s evening meeting has finished. What shall I call the invite? I will get the Zoom details at some point tomorrow."
No 10 official (1) replied ’Well if we’re doing it in Cabinet Room with a gap then to the actual drinks, I think we can more explicitly call it [No 10 official (1)] goodbye or leaving speech, or something?’.
No 10 official (2) replied 'Is 6.30 ok for this? We could maybe squeeze it in at 1730 but might have to be a different room! Zoom details below.
Topic: No 10 official (1) Goodbye
Time: Jun 18, 2020 0630 pm London
[Zoom meeting details]’
