United Kingdom

A suitcase allegedly used to ferry wine into a Downing Street party has been used for such purposes at least since David Cameron’s tenure, a former No 10 adviser has told i.

According to The Telegraph, leaving drinks for James Slack, Boris Johnson’s former director of communications, was one of two events held in No 10 on the day before Prince Philip’s funeral – at which the Queen was forced to mourn alone. Another party was organised for a second member of staff who was also leaving. Both groups joined together later on in the night of 16 April 2021, with around 30 members of staff drinking and dancing.

It added thats some attendees wheeled a suitcase out of Downing Street to the nearby Co-op to fill it with bottles of wine.

A former No 10 adviser told i the suitcase had been around Downing Street for several years. “Friday evening is always press office drinks, people put money in and someone is nominated to get the booze,” they said. “The suitcase is the most convenient way of wheeling it all back rather than clinking in with some carrier bags.”