Page:Fifth Report - Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson).pdf/16



2 The Rules and Guidance, and what Mr Johnson saw or knew
20. In this section of our report we will consider the extent of Mr Johnson’s direct knowledge of particular gatherings in No. 10 on the basis of his personal experience, and set this in the context of the Covid Rules and Guidance in force at the time of each gathering. We also highlight contemporary statements made over this period by Mr Johnson at press conferences and to the House, which evidence his knowledge of the Covid Rules and Guidance in force at the time. We have focussed on six gatherings: those on 20 May 2020, 19 June 2020, 13 and 27 November 2020, 18 December 2020 and 14 January 2021. Mr Johnson attended five of these gatherings, and was briefly in close proximity to the sixth (that on 18 December 2020).

21. In the next section of this report, dealing with the assertions Mr Johnson later gave to the House about compliance with Covid Rules and Guidance, we consider whether, in the light of what he had seen and known at the time of each gathering, as well as of subsequent developments including assurances he was given by others, it is credible that Mr Johnson believed, and had given sufficient consideration to, the assertions he was making.

22. Over the period from May 2020 to January 2021 (the period covering the above events) the Rules and the Guidance imposing restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid varied. Nevertheless, regulations consistently imposed restrictions on gatherings between people from different households with a limited number of exceptions. These exceptions included where a gathering was “essential” for work purposes under regulations in force before 1 June 2020, or “reasonably necessary” for work purposes under regulations in force from 1 June 2020. Between May 2020 and April 2021, workplace Guidance specified maintaining social distancing “where possible”. At the material time, No. 10 Downing Street circulated all staff working in those offices with the Rules and Guidance that they should follow, including social distancing requirements.

Gathering on 20 May 2020
23. In May 2020, the Rules and Guidance in force for the prevention of the spread of Covid included restrictions on gatherings of more than two people, and stated that only