Facts

On the same day that Johnson was preparing to delay the end of lockdown rules, he hosted a crowded beach barbecue for world leaders at the G7 summit. No 10 insisted that “numbers were below 30”.

Footage from the event, from No10’s own photographers, seem to show approximately 40 people in the area including security and waiting staff. We counted 38. 

This contravened the Prime Minister's own lockdown restrictions, which limited social gatherings to a maximum of 30 people in England. 

Verdict

The Downing Street Spokesperson’s claim was false. Another example of the British Prime Minister breaching rules which he expects everyone else to obey. And yet another false misleading statement from a Downing Street spokesperson. One of the most damaging consequences of the Johnson term of office has been the collapse of integrity inside the Downing Street civil service bureaucracy.