Page:Sue Gray Report.pdf/28

  A gathering in No 10 on the departure of two No 10 Officials 

Summary

On 17 December 2020 a leaving event for two No 10 Officials ("No 10 Officials (1) and (2)") took place in No 10 in the Pillared Room. There were speeches, including from the Prime Minister and senior officials, and alcohol. Approximately 20 people attended.

Preparations

On 8 December 2020, at 11.59, a third No 10 Private Office official ("No 10 Official (3)"), sent a meeting invitation to No 10 Private Secretaries, the Director of Communications, Head of the Press Office, and other individuals in the Press and Private Offices of No 10. The meeting was titled PO Meeting and farewells and scheduled for 17 December 18.30-21.00 in the Pillared Room of No 10. The farewells were for No 10 Officials (1) and (2).

On 14 December at 17.03, No 10 Official (3) sent a further email to the original invitee list and extended the invitation to other officials in No 10, including senior officials, the Events & Visits Team, and the Foreign Press Team. The invitation was entitled: [No 10 Official (1)] - Moving on" 

On 17 December 2020, a fourth No 10 official arranged for the Pillared Room to be prepared for the event, asking No 10 Facilities Management: ’Would it be possible for the tables in the [Pillared Room] to be cleared out and left with just one table ahead of a Private Office farewell for [No 10 Official (1)] at 1800 please?’.

The event

The event began at approximately 18.00 as a work-related meeting to discuss how the office would run over the Christmas break. At approximately 19.00, formal leaving speeches began for No 10 Officials (1) and (2). There were around 20 people in the room from across No 10 but predominantly from the Private Office staff. Other members of staff joined virtually. Approximately five bottles of wine were provided for those attending.

The Prime Minister attended for around 15 minutes from 19.50 to 20.05, giving a speech thanking both No 10 Officials (1) and (2) before returning to his office for further meetings. There were also speeches by other officials.

Following the speeches, those who had joined the event virtually left the meeting. Several of those in the room also left at this point, some others remained for a period of around 45 minutes before heading home or returning to their offices to 26