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Did the Johnsons breach lockdown rules?

Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Did the Johnson clan breach lockdown rules last December? That’s the question being asked in Westminster today after a profile in Harper’s Magazine of Carrie Johnson reported that her close friend Nimco Ali spent Christmas in 10 Downing Street with the couple, despite pandemic restrictions on holiday gatherings. At the time, London was under Tier 4 Covid rules which meant Christmas bubbles were scrapped at the last minute and individuals advised to limit their social interactions as much as possible.

When the claims first emerged, they received a furious slap down from all sides. A No. 10 spokesman announced that the Prime Minister and Mrs. Johnson ‘follow coronavirus rules at all times’ while Ali took to social media to declare it an ‘untrue story’ and state ‘I did not break any rules but you all knew that and just wanted a reason to tweet hate’.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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