In a highly-charged intervention in the partygate row, Mark Drakeford says he is not surprised the prime minister has become embroiled in controversy over Downing Street parties during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021
Mark Drakeford claimed Boris Johnson's government is 'simply not capable of doing the ordinary business of government'
"This is a government that at the moment is simply not capable of doing the ordinary business of government in a competent and sensible way because it is overwhelmed by the headlines that surround dreadful events that went on in Downing Street."returning back to alert level zeroHe said the country has"passed the Omicron peak" and can keep lifting restrictions as part of its"careful and phased plan".
According to the Daily Telegraph, staff in Downing Street partied until the early hours of the morning as part of a seven-hour drinking session the night before the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral last April.over the two parties, one for departing communications director James Slack and the second to mark the exit of one of the PM's official photographers.
Mr Johnson was not present on the evening in question, but has said he"deeply and bitterly" regretted what went on as the Queen prepared to say goodbye to her husband of more than 70 years. The Telegraph said it had seen a photo of staff at one of the parties, some of them clutching drinks, in the Downing Street basement.