Boris Johnson faced fresh criticism today over his failure to invite the Lionesses to Downing Street after he was spotted at a posh Mayfair club less than half a mile from where they were celebrating their Euro 2022 win.
No 10 said the Prime Minister was unable to welcome the England women’s team to Downing Street yesterday because he was in Northern Ireland for the lunchtime funeral of former first minister David Trimble.
But around 10pm he was spotted back in London outside LouLou’s – also known as the 5 Hertford Street private members club – which is said to cost £3,000 to join. That was just over an hour after Home Secretary Priti Patel was also spotted outside.
Witnesses reported seeing around six cars and up to 15 armed police officers outside the club, which was opened by Brexiteer businessman Robin Birley in 2012.
Less than five minutes’ drive away the Lionesses were celebrating Sunday’s 2-1 Wembley win over Germany, England’s first major tournament victory since 1966.
Despite the magnitude of their win, they were not afforded an open-bus tour parade, while the BBC coverage of a celebration in Trafalgar Square lasted just 20 minutes.
Mr Johnson’s office today declined to say why he could go to LouLou’s but not meet the team before their contractual obligations ended and they go on holiday. He is due to go on holiday tomorrow for the rest of the week.
Both Tory rivals to replace him as prime minister have vowed to host a reception in Downing Street, but they will not take power until September.
Labour’s shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said: ‘Frankly, women’s football is used to this level of disrespect, which says everything about this zombie government and a Prime Minister who has checked out.
‘The Lionesses deserve equal treatment and Boris Johnson should honour their fantastic victory with a Number 10 reception.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson can be seen with his head down in the back of a car outside Loulou’s in Mayfair last night
England footballers (from left) Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze and Demi Stokes at Cirque le Soir nightclub in London last night
Former England footballer turned presenter Alex Scott (left) and current England star Keira Walsh (right) outside the club
England goalkeeper Mary Earps outside Cirque le Soir nightclub in London yesterday evening with a male companion
Mr Johnson in Lisburn yesterday with Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins at the funeral of Lord Trimble, who died at the age of 77 last week
England footballers Lauren Hemp (left) and Jess Carter (right) outside Cirque le Soir nightclub in London yesterday
England footballer Hannah Hampton leaves Cirque le Soir in London yesterday evening with a male companion
Beth Mead (left) and Georgia Stanway (right) were out with their fellow England footballers at Cirque le Soir last night
England footballers Keira Walsh (left) and Nikita Parris (right) outside Cirque le Soir nightclub in London last night
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has also promised to ensure the team are ‘recognised for their historic victory in a suitable way’, amid calls for them to be honoured.
A spokesman for the Truss campaign said: ‘The Lionesses have been an inspiration to our nation.
‘Liz will host a reception in No 10 if she is prime minister in September and her government would ensure the Lionesses are recognised for their historic victory in a suitable way.’
Rishi Sunak’s team said he would also host the Lionesses at Downing Street if made prime minister.
Asked yesterday if Mr Johnson would back damehoods for the team, his official spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister would definitely want to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic victory.
England footballers Hannah Hampton (left) and Leah Williamson (right) outside Cirque le Soir in London yesterday
England footballers Lucy Bronze (left), Demi Stokes (centre) and Lauren Hemp (right) outside Cirque le Soir last night
England goalkeeper Mary Earps is helped away from Cirque le Soir in London by a member of security staff last night
England goalkeeper Mary Earps leaves Cirque le Soir in London with a male companion after a night out last night
England footballers Lucy Bronze (left), Demi Stokes (centre) and Lauren Hemp (right) outside Cirque le Soir last night
Former England footballer Alex Scott who presented the Trafalgar Square ceremony yesterday leaves Cirque le Soir last night
Lucy Bronze (left) and Lauren Hemp (right) smile for the cameras outside Cirque le Soir nightclub yesterday
‘On honours specifically, there is obviously a process that is a matter for the independent honours committee, but clearly the public want to see (the) Lionesses receive recognition.’
The England men’s cricket team were invited to Downing Street following their win in the Ashes in 2005, as were the men’s Rugby World Cup victors in 2003.
The women’s national rugby and cricket teams have also previously been honoured with receptions at No 10.
In addition to calling for the Lionesses to receive honours for their Euros win, Labour has urged the Government to capitalise on England’s success to ensure young girls who are now inspired to get playing can go on to become stars.
Boris Johnson is seen by photographers (centre) leaving the private member’s club Loulou’s in London’s Mayfair last night
Boris Johnson gets into a car outside private member’s club Loulou’s in London’s Mayfair at around 10pm yesterday
Home Secretary Priti Patel was also seen leaving private member’s club Loulou’s in London’s Mayfair at about 8.45pm
Home Secretary Priti Patel smiles as she is driven away from private member’s club Loulou’s in Mayfair at about 8.45pm
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: ‘Ministers continue to promote women’s sport as a top priority and are committed to using the power of the Lionesses’ success to keep pushing to level the playing field.
‘We stood by women’s football during the pandemic, with £2.9million in grants to the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship.
‘We put £4.6million towards the staging of Euro 2022, recently confirmed that the Women’s World Cup and Women’s Euros have been added to the list of events that must be made available to free-to-air television broadcasters, and announced a review of the domestic women’s game that will launch later this summer.
‘Right now, we’re investing an extra £230million into building or upgrading up to 8,000 grassroots facilities by 2025, to ensure we continue to develop the talent of the future and build on the class of 2022’s success.’