They Should All Go: Renewed calls for PM to resign after reports Downing Street staff partied on eve of Prince Philip’s funeral

Leaving events for No 10 staff were held on eve of the Duke’s funeral, at which the Queen was forced to grieve alone due to Covid rules.

It is said the Queen is the symbol of the nation, it was at that moment sat alone in St Georges chapel she really did come to symbolise the nation at that time. In that quiet dignity, she was the embodiment of all the families that had lost loved ones during these pressing times. No matter whether you are a royalist, republican or just don’t care, the image of the queen sat alone at her husbands funeral was felt in the hearts of all those that had lost someone.

That is why these latest revelations seem to be just a little more hurtful, that is why if proved true all who attended should be forced to resign.

Downing Street has failed to deny reports that two parties took place at Number 10 the night before Prince Philip’s COVID-restricted funeral – at a time when indoor mixing was banned.

In fresh claims that will further fuel the “partygate” crisis afflicting the prime minister, it is claimed that Downing Street staff drank alcohol into the early hours at two leaving events in April last year.

These are reported to have been held the night before the Queen was forced to sit by herself at her husband’s funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

At the time of the newly-alleged parties, the country was in a period of national mourning, and England was still under strict COVID rules that banned socialising with other households indoors unless you had formed a support bubble.

People in England were also prevented from meeting outdoors in groups larger than six, or from more than two households.

Those coronavirus restrictions also limited Prince Philip’s funeral to just 30 attendees, with only 15 allowed to go to wakes.

The Daily Telegraph reported that one leaving event on 16 April last year was held for James Slack, the prime minister’s departing director of communications, while another was for one of Mr Johnson’s personal photographers.

According to the newspaper, the gatherings saw alcohol drunk and guests dancing along to music and lasted beyond midnight.

The events were held in two different parts of Downing Street but later joined together with around 30 people attending both gatherings combined, it is claimed.

Downing Street did not directly deny the reports, although the Daily Telegraph said that the prime minister was not in Number 10 that day.

Commenting on the leaving event for Mr Slack, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “On this individual’s last day he gave a farewell speech to thank each team for the work they had done to support him, both those who had to be in the office for work and on a screen for those working from home.”