Civil servants are meant to be obscured from public view. But Martin Reynolds – the senior No 10 official who invited over 100 people to “socially distanced drinks” during the national lockdown in May 2020 – is now at the centre of a row that’s thrust him into the spotlight.
In an email leaked to ITV News, Reynolds told Downing Street staff on 20 May 2020 that it “would be nice to make the most of this lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks” in the No 10 garden. “Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!” he added. The same month, Reynolds was also reportedly pictured enjoying cheese and wine in the Downing Street garden with the Prime Minister – alongside Dominic Cummings and several other staff. At the time, government guidance said people could meet only one person who they didn’t live with outdoors.
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