Boris Johnson and staff pictured with wine in Downing Street garden in May 2020

Exclusive: photograph raises fresh questions for No 10 after denial of a social event at time of Covid restrictions

• Chatting over cheese and wine: anatomy of Downing Street lockdown gathering

Boris Johnson has been pictured with wine and cheese alongside his wife and up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during lockdown, raising questions over No 10's insistence a work meeting" was taking place.

The photograph was shared with the Guardian following No 10's denial last week that there was a social event on Friday 15 May 2020 including wine, spirits and pizza inside and outside the building. Johnson's spokesman said Downing Street staff were working in the garden in the afternoon and evening.