People who missed important birthday celebrations in Reading during the pandemic said they are “sickened” a gathering to celebrate the Prime Minister’s was held inside No 10 during the UK’s first national lockdown.
No 10 has conceded staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room on the afternoon of June 19, 2020 following a meeting after it was alleged 30 people attended, shared cake, and sang “happy birthday” to the PM, despite social mixing indoors being banned.
Thatcham resident Gary Huntley, 55, said every birthday party he had to cancel now felt like a kick in the teeth.
“It’s atrocious. The way they’ve been allowed to get away with it is absolutely disgusting and the whole lots should go.”
He explained how he followed the rules and didn’t attend his grandson’s fourth birthday party on November 17, 2020, during the second lockdown.
“He had to have a bouncy castle on his own poor lad, in his back garden and celebrated it alone”
“We were absolutely gutted at the time because birthday’s at that young age mean a lot to them.
Downing Street said staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room after a meeting, in response to a report from ITV News which suggested up to 30 people attended what it described as a birthday party.
But the broadcaster suggested the Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, had organised the surprise get-together complete with a chorus of “happy birthday” on the afternoon of June 19 2020, when indoor social mixing was banned.
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“How can the people of this country take them seriously in coming up with new laws and legislation, especially what’s going on in Europe now with Russia and Ukraine. How can other countries take us seriously,” said Mr Huntley “They look at us and think, you don’t care about your own people.”
“All across the world we’re an absolute laughing stock. People might say ‘it’s only a birthday’ but it’s a lot bigger than that.”
Sharon Clarke, 60, from Tilehurst, cancelled a celebration she spent month’s organising for her mum’s 80th birthday and diamond wedding anniversary on September 19, 2020.
New restrictions were introduced on September 14, meaning the £150 she had spent on cake, alcohol, banners and decorations was wasted.
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“I was just so annoyed I’d spent all this time preparing all these minute details for them to enjoy and then it was taken away.
“With the news now I think ‘why were we all so stupid to be like sheep and do what he says?”
She continued: “Surely nothing should have happened at that time, they should have just been doing their job and end of story.
“It’s disappointing. To have a leader that’s broken the rules that he’s asked us to follow is really bad.
She said the reports of gatherings have eroded her trust in Government to the extent that she will probably never vote again.
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