Cost of Boris Johnson’s Boozy Brexit bash clear after two yr authorized struggle

After a two-year authorized battle, officers have lastly been compelled by a courtroom to disclose that the booze invoice for a Brexit occasion in No10 was £7,897.

Civil servants had blocked a Freedom of Information request about drinks served at then-PM Boris Johnson’s bash to mark the second the UK lastly left the EU at 11pm, on January 31, 2020.

The determination was backed up by the Information Commissioner, who agreed the general public curiosity was not sturdy sufficient. But campaigners took the case to an Information Tribunal, which dominated towards the federal government.

Now the paperwork launched present friends at No10 consumed 117 bottles of Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2014, made by vineyards in Kent and Sussex and bought for round £65 per bottle.

There have been additionally 10 bottles of white wine from the Chapel Down winery, in Kent, which usually promote for round £16 every. Those who wished pink needed to flip to a EU nation for the Italian Valpolicella 2017, with 11 bottles drunk at round £12 every.

The occasion was held as information of Covid was starting to emerge and only a few weeks earlier than the lockdown was imposed on March 23. The Mirror later uncovered a sequence of lockdown-breaking events held at No10 as the remainder of the nation remained below restrictions.

All the wine got here from the taxpayer-funded Government Wine Cellar. A authorities assertion mentioned: “The Government Wine Cellar generate revenues… to ensure minimal cost to the taxpayer.”