The government is facing fresh claims that Downing Street staff celebrated "wine-time Fridays" throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mirror Online reported that the Prime Minister often witnessed the drinks on his way to the Downing Street flat and encouraged staff to “let off steam".
Sources told the newspaper the regular event was so popular staff had invested in a drinks fridge for the office that cost £142, despite indoor socialising being banned under lockdown rules.
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It is claimed that aides took turns on Fridays to visit the local Tesco Metro in Westminster with a suitcase to fill up the 34-bottle capacity fridge.
A photo has emerged of the fridge being delivered through the back door of Downing Street on December 11, 2020.
At the time coronavirus 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.
‘Wine-time Fridays’ were reportedly scheduled into the electronic calendars of around 50 No 10 staff between 4pm and 7pm every week.
They are a long-standing Downing Street tradition, including under previous administrations, to help staff wind down at the end of a busy week.
But the event continued many Fridays even after restrictions were introduced to help curb the Covid surge, it has been reported.
The drinks were said to have been organised by the No 10 press office but periodically advisers from other parts of the building would join in.
Sources said the gatherings on occasion went on as late as midnight with up to two dozen aides drinking wine and beer and playing games like Pictionary.
They were particularly popular from autumn 2020 to the Spring of 2021 when staff were “fatigued” with the tough Covid restrictions, sources said.
However, their popularity waned as the country began opening up and staff no longer had to rely on them for social interaction.
