The UK Treasury is defending officials over an “impromptu” drinks party to celebrate Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s autumn spending review during last year’s COVID-19 lockdown. A spokesperson said a “small number” of staff celebrated around their desks, contrary to media reports mentioning the figure of two dozen civil servants participating in the event. A team of officials working on the chancellor’s spending review announcement stayed after hours for the party on November 25, 2020, according to the Times UK .

The drinks were not planned but the civil servants involved bought beer and wine from a nearby supermarket, Guardian UK quoted government sources as saying.

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A Treasury spokesperson told the newspaper: “A number of HMT (Her Majesty’s Treasury) staff came into the office to work on the spending review 2020. We have been made aware that a small number of staff had impromptu drinks around their desks after the event.

“The Treasury did not organise an in-person departmental party last Christmas.”

Sunak was reportedly not aware of the event at the time.

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During the November lockdown non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues were closed as were pubs, bars and restaurants. 

The controversy comes as the Boris Johnson government is under fire for an alleged Christmas party and two prior gatherings involving officials at Downing Street in violation of COVID-19 protocols at the peak of the pandemic last year.

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UK Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will head an inquiry into a December 18, 2020, event at the prime minister’s 10 Downing St. offices, where officials are said to have enjoyed wine, food, games and a festive gift exchange at a time when most social gatherings were banned under Tier 3 restrictions in London.

Case will also look into a gathering allegedly held at Downing Street on November 27, 2020, and another at the Department for Education on December 10.