Junior staff could have risked career by not attending No 10 parties, lawyer says

Refusing a boss's request may harm relationship and cause employee to take legal action, according to expert

Junior civil servants who did not want to attend lockdown-breaching parties held at 10 Downing Street risked being forced to take legal action and put their careers in jeopardy, a senior employment lawyer has said.

The law expects people to stand up for themselves, experts have said, with employees largely expected to comply with their bosses. Whistleblowing legislation is rarely used because people are worried about repercussions.