People are using social media to share the heartbreaking things they were doing on the same day Downing Street's alleged 'garden party' took place.
On Monday, ITV News published a leaked email that shows evidence of a social gathering taking place on 20th May 2020. At the time, pretty much all gatherings were banned across the country during the first wave of the pandemic.
The email was sent to more than 100 staff at Number 10 by Johnson's Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds and urged everyone to 'bring their own booze'.
At the time the alleged party took place, only two people were allowed to socialise outdoors at least two metres according to official government guidelines.
Social mixing indoors was banned and all non-essential shops were closed, and hospitality businesses such as restaurants and bars were closed.
News of the email has angered the public and many have taken to Twitter to share some of their harrowing experiences on that day.
One Twitter user shared an image of his elderly mum who had to cut her own hair due to lockdown restrictions in May. She died later that year. He wrote: "May 2020. I had to talk to my mum through a window. She had cut her own hair as she couldn't even see a hairdresser. She died that August. Meanwhile, they were having a party for 100 people at 10 Downing Street. She was a good person. Shame on you @BorisJohnson."
Another Twitter user shared a picture of their dogs as they spent lockdown alone in May 2020. They wrote: "Just checked my phone. This photo is from 20th May 2020. This is in the front yard and I remember there was no-one about. Everyone was at home, following the guidance. All except those at the #DowningStreetParties."
A doctor on Twitter recounted how she developed PTSD after working on the frontline in May 2020. "May 2020. Nine weeks away from home. Trying to save lives. And they partied?? I baked in these suits. I wept. I was isolated. We rationed PPE. We watched people die. I developed PTSD. We couldn’t even get a second phone line for the ward. AND THEY PARTIED???? #DowningStreetParties".
While another medical worker shared a photo of themselves wearing PPE whilst working in an intensive care unit (ICU). They tweeted: "20th May 2020. My wife had just celebrated her 40th birthday over Zoom, and couldn't even see her parents in person. I was on ICU (with possibly my favourite PPE of the whole pandemic). Our leaders were having a drinks party."
One woman shared the heartbreaking story of watching her baby brother take his last breath and being unable to visit him in May 2020. "On 20 May 2020 my baby brother was in ICU. He died on 23rd May. We couldn’t sit with him until they switched off his life support. My dad and I watched him take his last breaths over FaceTime. The words I want to use right now would get me kicked off Twitter #DowningStreetParties."
And a teacher shared images of their empty classroom as he prepared to welcome back his bubble of 15 students under new social distancing measures. He tweeted: "On the 20th of May 2020 I was setting up my classroom like this to welcome back a bubble of 15 primary school children who had to sit in rows 2 meters from each other. Boris was inviting 100 people to get drunk in his garden. #DowningStreetParties."
The email leaked by ITV News says: “Hi all, After what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening.
"Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!"
The email also follows allegations about staff having a different gathering five days earlier, on 15th May 2020. A photograph leaked by the Guardian shows Johnson and his wife Carrie sitting with staff surrounded by wine and cheese.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Covid-19, News, Politics, Boris Johnson
Gregory Robinson