Boris Johnson did not see, nor was he sent, an email inviting him to a party in the Downing Street garden.
Advisors gave a briefing to journalists after Boris Johnson admitted he attended the party on May 20, 2020.
They said the senior aide who sent the email inviting staff to "bring a bottle" to the Downing Street garden remains in post and has the full confidence of the Prime Minister. They said Mr Johnson was not sent and did not see the email.
Mr Johnson spoke in the Commons at lunchtime on January 12 and apologised for the event. You can read all the latest here.
He said: “I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months.
“I know the anguish they have been through – unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want, or to do the things they love.
“I know the rage they feel with me and with the Government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.
“And though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know there were things we simply did not get right and I must take responsibility.
“No 10 is a big department with a garden as an extension of the office which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus.
“When I went into that garden just after six on May 20 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event.
“With hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them."
Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Martin Reynolds, who sent the email which was leaked this week, remains in his post, and has full confidence of the PM, journalists were told.
The email read: “Hi all, after what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”
The PMs spokesman was asked why, after days of not answering questions, he has now spoken about the party and his attendance.
"You can see that the PM wanted to acknowledge, as he put it, the rage people feel and the strength of feeling."
His adviser said he was not sent and did not see the email, which has been circulated before the event.
Questions as to whether he knew about the event beforehand or just went out into the garden by chance, were unanswered.
Asked if the PMs wife was there, there was no answer with his adviser saying that the investigation is ongoing. A question as to whether the PM took alcohol along or whether he had a drink were also unanswered with the response being that specific details would only be responded to via the independent review.
"He will bring the full facts to the House [after the investigation has concluded]."
His team were pushed on why not all facts are being released to the public, just certain details but no answers were forthcoming.
Asked if he had lied about the party, his adviser said that question was attempting to pre-empt the findings of the review. She denied he was a "liar".
No date was given for the report to be published.
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