Downing Street staff held 'wine-time Fridays' throughout the pandemic with
Boris Johnson regularly witnessing the gatherings.
Sources told the Mirror that the Prime Minister encouraged aides to “let off steam” despite indoor socialising being banned under
lockdown rules.
The regular event was so popular that staff even invested in a £142 drinks fridge to keep their bottles of white wine, Prosecco and beer cool.
Reports that staff took a suitcase to a supermarket to stock up on booze ahead of a party on the eve of
Prince Philip’s funeral were not a one-off.
Sources claimed that aides took turns on Fridays to visit the local Tesco Metro in Westminster with a trolley suitcase to fill up the 34-bottle capacity fridge.
A picture has emerged of a wine fridge being delivered to Downing Street
The fridge has the capacity for 34 wine bottles
An extraordinary picture has emerged of the chiller being delivered through the back door of Downing Street on December 11, 2020.
At the time rules banned two or more people from different households from meeting indoors, unless “reasonably necessary” for work purposes.
Downing Street today apologised to Buckingham Palace after it was revealed more parties were held in No10 the day before Prince Philip’s funeral last Spring.
Two leaving bashes - one for Mr Johnson’s top spin doctor James Slack and another for the PM’s photographer - took place at Downing Street on April 16.
It was just hours before the Queen sat grieving alone at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
‘Wine-time Fridays’ were scheduled into the electronic calendars of around 50 No 10 staff between 4pm and 7pm every week.