approximately 40 people across No 10, the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. There was a link provided in the invitation for those attending virtually.
Event
The event began at around 18.00 on 14 January 2021 in the Pillared Room, one of the larger rooms in No 10. Approximately 15 members of staff from the No 10 Private Office and No 10 Policy Unit attended in person, with up to 30 people joining virtually. The Prime Minister attended at approximately 18.00 for around ten minutes in between meetings. He gave a short speech thanking those leaving before returning to his office. There were further speeches by other members of No 10 staff. There are photographs of the event.
Following the speeches while some people left, others remained in the Pillared Room and continued to chat and drink. It is unclear what time the event finished. We were informed at least some of those present were there beyond 23.00.
16 April 2021:
• A gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a senior No 10 official;
• A gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of another No 10 official.
Extract from regulations and guidance
On 29 March 2021, all areas of England moved to Step 1 and the "stay at home restrictions" were lifted. Gatherings of two or more people indoors or more than six people outdoors were prohibited, subject to exceptions which included where a gathering as "reasonably necessary … for work purposes"
On 12 April 2021, all of England moved to Step 2. Non-essential retail businesses and many outdoor venues re-opened. Gatherings of two or more people indoors and more than six people outdoors remained prohibited, subject to exceptions which included here a gathering was "reasonably necessary for work purposes".
Social distancing remained the rule at work, with offices advised to maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable), wherever possible, including while arriving at and departing from work, while in work and hen travelling between sites".
