Footage has emerged of senior No 10 aides apparently joking about the Christmas gathering which is at the centre of a row over whether Downing Street staff broke lockdown rules last year.
Downing Street's media briefing room, where the footage was recorded.
Hollie Adams
Allegra Stratton, who at the time was the Prime Minister’s press secretary, is seen being questioned about reports of a Downing Street Christmas party.
The footage, obtained by ITV News, was reportedly filmed as part of preparations for televised briefings by Ms Stratton – a plan which was subsequently abandoned.
The party at the centre of the row is reported to have taken place on Friday, December 18.
At the rehearsal with Ms Stratton on December 22, Ed Oldfield, a special adviser to the prime minister, asked her: “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night, do you recognise those reports?”
Ms Stratton replied “I went home” before a discussion with colleagues about whether the event was a “cheese and wine” evening.
She added: “This fictional party was a business meeting … and it was not socially distanced.”
In response to the footage showing No 10 aides apparently joking about a Christmas party during the 2020 lockdown, a Downing Street spokesman said: “There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times.”
ITV News
Sir Keir Starmer has said Boris Johnson needs to “come clean and apologise” after footage emerged showing Downing Street aides apparently joking about a Christmas party during the 2020 lockdown.
The Labour Party leader said: “People across the country followed the rules even when that meant being separated from their families, locked down and – tragically for many – unable to say goodbye to their loved ones.
“They had a right to expect that the Government was doing the same.
“To lie and to laugh about those lies is shameful.
“The Prime Minister now needs to come clean and apologise.
“It cannot be one rule for the Conservatives and another for everyone else.”