G7: Raab defends barbecue after photos appear to show no social distancing

World leaders at a barbecue in Cornwall
Twitter
Leah Sinclair13 June 2021

Dominic Raab has defended attendees of a G7 event after pictures appeared to show them failing to socially distance at a barbecue.

Asked about the barbecue by Sky News’ Trevor Phillips, the foreign secretary said: “It’s outside, it’s very well ventilated on the beach.”

Mr Raab also said the government had “gone well above and beyond” to make sure the event was Covid secure.

“Both in terms of the checks that have been done - the daily checks for Covid, the precautions, the slim-lined delegations - we’ve taken every measure possible to make sure this is not just Covid secure but that it could take place,” he said.

Mr Phillips acknowledged that the pictures may frustrate people who currently can’t have more than 30 people at a wedding or funeral under the current government guidelines.

He said: “It’s out there and people will be reasonably saying that you’re not allowing me to gather with my friends and family at a wedding and a funeral but look at what you guys are doing.”

Mr Raab replied: “In fairness, there have always been different principles for social entertainment or weddings than for government business."

“Those rules have been the same all along,” he added.

In a statement, Downing Street said Boris Johnson, Joe Biden and other world leaders behaved in a “Covid-secure way”.

“The event last night was done in an entirely Covid-secure way within the existing rules,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

“This was an informal gathering of the G7 leaders and rightly it is held in private … but you can see it was a relaxed atmosphere and gave the leaders a chance to discuss outside of a formal setting.”

During the beachside event, Boris Johnson’s son Wilfred stole the show as he was introduced to prime ministers and presidents by his mother Carrie Johnson.

Wilfred Johnson at the barbecue in Corbis Bay, Cornwall
Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Wilfred, who was wearing a white shirt and blue shorts, was pictured waddling towards his proud mother.

First Lady Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron beamed at the toddler, who was sporting a very familiar mop of tousled blond hair.

G7 leaders appeared to be in high spirits at the sun-drenched event, with Mr Johnson enjoying a bottle of Tribute pale ale.

The group watched on as Hawk fast jets looped around into their famous diamond shape several times before splitting off.

Following the display, Mr Johnson tweeted: "What a sight! Thank you to the incredible @rafredarrows for an amazing show."

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