MPs hit out at 'Christmas party' held at Downing Street

Members of Boris Johnson’s team are said to have staged a festive get-together on December 18, while London was in Tier 3 and parties were banned.

A video obtained by ITV News shows senior staff laughing and joking about the alleged party at a mock press conference held a few days later.

In the footage government spokesperson Allegra Stratton - who resigned earlier today - appears to rehearse answers to questions over a lockdown-busting event.

Allegra Stratton speaking outside her home in north London where she announced that she has resigned

Caroline Nokes, Tory MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: “I did not attend any party at Downing Street and nor would I have done if I had been invited.

“Parties were not permitted within Covid rules and my constituents largely did the right thing. I will not defend whatever happened in Downing Street.”

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said it was “shameful” that people had been filmed about regulations being broken.

He added: “They are making a joke out of all of us who made sacrifices and stuck to the rules.

“I think anyone at the party should not only resign but be subject to the same penalties as everyone else who was caught breaking the rules. It can’t be one rule for them and another for everyone else.”

Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, said Downing Street staff could be sacked before Christmas if any hard evidence against them emerged.

He added: “What we do know is that the PM was not at any alleged gathering. The Cabinet Office will now carry out a full enquiry.”

I’m as keen as anyone to get to the bottom of the alleged Number 10 gathering. I just want to see the evidence. I don’t think that is too much to ask. Perhaps guidelines were broken. I’m not saying they weren’t but show me the evidence. https://t.co/CK8sdWnEhl

— Royston Smith MP (@Royston_Smith) December 8, 2021

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, referred to Boris Johnson’s appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons yesterday.

He said: “The attitude of some Downing Street staff, revealed by the leaked video, was utterly indefensible and the Prime Minister was right to condemn it. He must now ensure that anyone who defied the rules or broke the law faces serious consequences.”

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne added: “Let’s wait upon the Cabinet Secretary’s findings.”

Mr Johnson said: “I share the anger up and down the country at seeing No 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures.

“But I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken.”