Could this be the end for Boris? - Downing Street Christmas Party Scandal

If you have not yet heard, the scandal at Downing Street is making headlines right now. Government officials and Downing Street staff have been accused of holding Christmas parties in the winter of 2020, while millions abided by the Covid-19 restrictions put into place for the safety of the nation. This has sparked fury across the UK and could quite possibly be the end of Boris Johnson's run as Prime Minister. 

The accusations have been denied by a number of ministers on public television. However, after a week of allegations towards his Party- no pun intended, the Prime Minister finally announced an investigation will commence. The Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will be investigating the events. These include an alleged gathering on the 27th of November, the Department for Education gathering on the 10th of December, the Downing Street Christmas quiz on the 15th of December and the main allegation, the Downing Street party on the 18th of December. Mr Case will be looking into the purpose of the events, who attended and whether rules were followed. 

At the times of these gatherings, different restrictions were in place. On the 27th of November, there was still a national lockdown in place at the time the alleged gathering occurred. The Daily Mirror reported that around 40 or 50 people were said to be crammed into a medium-sized room. One source claimed, "it was a Covid nightmare." Multiple sources claimed there were alcoholic drinks, snacks and games. 

The Downing Street Christmas quiz took place whilst restrictions were tier 2. This meant that "you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting." Although, there was an exception for work that was "reasonably necessary". According to Downing Street sources, some attendees of the quiz took part virtually, including Mr Johnson. The PM has denied any wrongdoing. 

Regardless of these events, if a party did occur at Downing Street on the 18th of December it would be completely inexcusable and would have definitely breached restrictions. The government guidance at the time specifically stated, "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity." 

On the 18th of December, 514 Covid-19 deaths were recorded. On this same day Mr Johnson also tweeted, "If you are forming a Christmas Bubble, it's vital that from today, you minimise contact with people from outside your household. Everyone must take personal responsibility." The hypocrisy is astonishing.

At a time where families were unable to visit their dying loved ones in hospital - a time where there were funerals with no mourners - and a time where the whole nation abided by social distancing to save lives, it would be severely cruel and twisted if the very people we trusted to put in Parliament were partying and not following their own rules. It would be unforgivable. 

The law says we are all equal and subject to the same laws. But while we were banned from seeing our loved ones at Christmas, the Prime Minister and his friends threw a boozy party at Downing Street. These are the hypocrites who insisted, "Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives."

The investigation is ongoing.