Last Christmas was tough for so many. After repeated promises from the government that we'd all be able to celebrate with our families, that was taken away at the last minute - as tier four restrictions remained for vast areas of the country. This meant many weren't able to see their family or friends, as they were only allowed to mix with members of their own household and support bubbles. It was equal parts devastating as it was frustrating, as the guidance only changed days before Christmas{
Now, however, ten months later, No 10 is having to deny that they broke lockdown rules over Christmas. An article in Harper's magazine has alleged that Carrie and Boris had their friend, and government advisor, Nimco Ali over to stay - when many of us weren't able to see our nearest and dearest.
Carrie and Boris have not denied that the advisor stayed with them, but they have said they followed the rules. 'The prime minister and Mrs Johnson have followed coronavirus rules at all times. It is totally untrue to suggest otherwise,' a spokesperson for Boris told the Independent. Meanwhile, Carrie's spokesperson said nearly the same with: 'The PM and Mrs Johnson have followed coronavirus rules at all times. It is totally untrue to suggest otherwise.' Nimco has also tweetedthat she didn't break any rules (and said that she has been subject to racist abuse, which is not acceptable).
So, if they didn't break the rules - how was it allowed? According to The Mirror, it's implied that Nimco was part of their 'childcare bubble' as the Johnsons had a child under the age of 14 at the time - meaning they were allowed to have a childcare bubble in addition to their support bubble, which was believed to include Carrie's mother Josephine McAfee.
However, government guidelines at the time said that you could only use a childcare bubble for childcare - not for other reasons, like socialising or spending Christmas together: 'You can only use a childcare bubble for childcare. You cannot use a childcare bubble to mix with another household for other reasons.'
Just like when Dominic Cummings breached lockdown back in March/April 2020, today's report has prompted an angry reaction by those who feel like the government have gone ahead and done exactly what they wanted throughout the pandemic. As a parody account for Boris Johnson tweeted: 'Carrie and I did not break the rules last Christmas! We stuck rigidly to the main one that says it's one rule for us and another rule for everyone else.'
'I exchanged presents with my Dad and sister socially distanced, in the rain, in a service station car park on the M1, after not seeing each other for eight months,' another tweet read. 'This is unbelievable.' A midwife for the NHS also tweeted: 'Ah, how thrilling to learn that Carrie and Boris may have broken lockdown rules last Christmas while I (like thousands of colleagues) worked a 12 hour shift away from my family. It all feels very "tell me you don’t respect the NHS without telling me you don’t respect the NHS."'
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