The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, returned from a meeting and noted that there were individuals in his waiting room. He stayed for a short time and before leaving for another meeting he gave permission for the use of his office for a short time.
The event lasted for a number of hours. There was excessive alcohol consumption by some individuals. One individual was sick. There was a minor altercation between two other individuals.
The event broke up in stages with a few members of staff leaving from around 21.00 and the last member of staff, who stayed to tidy up, leaving at 03.13.
19 June 2020; a gathering in the Cabinet Room in No 10 Downing Street on the Prime Minister’s birthday
Extract of regulations and guidance
On 1 June 2020, England moved to step 2 of the Government’s roadmap in which restrictions on leaving one s home ere removed. Gatherings of two or more persons indoors and more than six outdoors were prohibited. An exception permitted gatherings that are "reasonably necessary…. for work purposes". At work, social distancing guidance continued to say you must maintain social distancing in the work place wherever possible. Work places were required "to maintain 2m social distancing wherever possible, including when arriving at and departing from work, while in work, and when travelling between sites".
On 13 June 2020 individual prayer in places of worship was allowed again and on 15 June 2020 non-essential retail businesses were permitted to re-open.
Summary
On 19 June 2020 a number of individuals gathered in the Cabinet Room in No 10 Downing Street to wish the Prime Minister a happy birthday. Food, alcohol and soft drinks were provided, having been organised in advance that morning. The event lasted around 20-30 minutes.
Preparations
On the morning of 19 June 2020, Cleo Watson, a No 10 special adviser who informed the investigation that she had been asked to organise the event, had an exchange of Whatsapp messages with Martin Reynolds, Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister messages as follows:
