martin reynolds recalled questioning whether it was realistic for borisjohnson to argue that all guidance had been followed at all times. but borisjohnson says he was given "repeated assurances" no rules were broken and that no advisers gave any advice "to the contrary". i was trying to run the country during a pandemic on the evening in question, the 30th of november 2021, as dealing with the emergence of the omicron variant and the growing clamour for restrictions on another christmas. i could not drop what i was doing, get up and institute a personal investigation into its unelected daily mirror try on and on on an event does almost a —year—old. i had to rely on and was fully entitled to rely on what i was told by my senior trusted advisers. here mrjohnson insisted the gatherings at his official office and residence — number 10 downing street were not purely social events. i really must insist on this point.