THERE will not be a Number 10 reception for the Lionesses as Boris Johnson faces questions over his support for women’s football after he did not attend the Wembley match.
England won 2-1 over Germany in a historic Euro’s clash on Sunday night at the London stadium, but the “caretaker” Prime Minister was nowhere to be seen.
Johnson made a big show of attending the England men’s football final in the equivalent contest last year - but watched the Lionesses’ match from his country residence, according to his official spokesman.
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It then emerged that, unlike other successful sporting teams, the Lionesses will not be honoured with a visit to No 10 this week.
It’s understood that Johnson is set for a holiday break this week, although it has not been disclosed where.
He attended the funeral of Northern Ireland peace process architect Lord David Trimble on Monday, and is then taking leave from Wednesday to Sunday.
The England men’s cricket team were invited to Downing Street following their win in the Ashes in 2005, as were the men’s Rugby World Cup victors in 2003.
The women’s national rugby and cricket teams have also previously been honoured with receptions at No 10.
The Prime Minister attended the men’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley last year, where England lost to Italy.
But he chose to tune into the Lionesses’ crunch tie with Germany from Chequers – with the match culminating in a 2-1 triumph for England after extra time, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966.
Johnson’s German counterpart Olaf Scholz was at Wembley on Sunday, while No 10 said the Foreign Secretary and the Culture Secretary represented the UK Government at the final.
Scholz also visited the German team in their dressing room after the game.
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Over the weekend, Johnson was celebrating his wedding to wife Carrie at the grand Cotswolds estate of a major Tory donor.
The pair hosted family and friends at 18th-century Daylesford House to celebrate their nuptials in a wider circle, after the pandemic forced them to scale back festivities last year.
Asked whether the Prime Minister’s absence from Wembley reflected badly on his attitude to the women’s game, his spokesman said: “I think the public will judge the Government on the support it has given to women’s football.
“This is a Government that has stood steadfastly in terms of supporting the women’s game and investing in it.
“The Prime Minister has been supporting the team throughout and was watching the game with his family at home.”
Meanwhile, No 10 said there are “no plans” to add a new bank holiday to mark the Lionesses’ victory.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “Obviously we all want to celebrate the Lionesses’ win, but there are no plans to change the current pattern of public bank holidays.”
But he said Johnson will “definitely” want the Lionesses to receive “the recognition they rightly deserve” after England’s triumph.
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