Grant Shapps says Boris Johnson 'did not think he was at a party' after new photos emerge

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has defended the Prime Minister after photos appearing to show him raising a glass at an alleged Downing Street party during the second coronavirus lockdown emerged.

The Cabinet minister told Sky News that Boris Johnson does not think he was attending a party in the image, showing him raising a glass and surrounded by wine bottles at a leaving do.

Mr Shapps said: “I don’t think the fact of the pictures, us seeing them for the first time, changes what the police and Sue Gray already know." He said that Mr Johnson's red 'work box' is in the photo, adding: "It looks to me like he goes down on his way out of the office and thanks the staff and raises a glass, and doesn’t in his mind recognise it as a party.

And indeed the police have looked into this and spent a lot of time and resources.” Read more: London's £19bn Elizabeth line opens today - but where's the Crossrail for the North? Asked if he is comfortable with the photographs, he said: “I’m not, I couldn’t see my own dad for a long period of time because we were obeying the rules but I also accept the Prime Minister has long since apologised, has made fundamental reforms in No 10 and have no doubt if he had his time again he wouldn’t have dropped by to say thank you to a member of staff leaving.” The set of four pictures, published by ITV News and reported on by the Mirror, clearly shows the Prime Minister accompanied by a group of aides around a table covered in bottles of alcohol and party food.