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Downing Street party: No 10 staff joked about party amid lockdown restrictions Downing Street party: No 10 staff joked about party amid lockdown restrictions
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Watch: Video obtained by ITV News shows Downing Street staff joking about a No 10 Christmas party during a mock press conferenceWatch: Video obtained by ITV News shows Downing Street staff joking about a No 10 Christmas party during a mock press conference
A video obtained by ITV shows senior No 10 staff joking about holding a Christmas Party - days after a party was held there during lockdown. A video obtained by ITV shows senior No 10 staff joking about holding a Christmas party - days after a party was held there during lockdown.
The PM's then press secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a party, as they rehearse a news conference in December last year.The PM's then press secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a party, as they rehearse a news conference in December last year.
In jokey exchanges, she says: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."In jokey exchanges, she says: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."
Downing Street continues to insist no party took place.Downing Street continues to insist no party took place.
The mock news conference took place in the government's new high-tech briefing room at 9 Downing Street, on Tuesday 22 December, without members of the media present.The mock news conference took place in the government's new high-tech briefing room at 9 Downing Street, on Tuesday 22 December, without members of the media present.
The rehearsal took place four days after the Christmas party, on 18 December.The rehearsal took place four days after the Christmas party, on 18 December.
At the time the government's coronavirus guidance specifically stated that people should not have Christmas parties - and gatherings in London of two or more people indoors was banned unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.At the time the government's coronavirus guidance specifically stated that people should not have Christmas parties - and gatherings in London of two or more people indoors was banned unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.
On 19 December, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that strict lockdown rules would be in place over Christmas for parts of England, meaning many could not see relatives over the festive period.On 19 December, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that strict lockdown rules would be in place over Christmas for parts of England, meaning many could not see relatives over the festive period.
PM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas partiesPM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas parties
Kuenssberg: Playing by the rules?Kuenssberg: Playing by the rules?
Covid families 'sickened' by No 10 Christmas partyCovid families 'sickened' by No 10 Christmas party
In the clip, leaked to ITV, Ms Stratton responds to questions from colleagues pretending to be journalists in a playful tone.In the clip, leaked to ITV, Ms Stratton responds to questions from colleagues pretending to be journalists in a playful tone.
Asked about the party she says "I went home", while one aide jokes that "it wasn't a party, it was cheese and wine."Asked about the party she says "I went home", while one aide jokes that "it wasn't a party, it was cheese and wine."
"Is cheese and wine all right," asks Ms Stratton, before adding: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced.""Is cheese and wine all right," asks Ms Stratton, before adding: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."
In response to the clip, No 10 said: "There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times."In response to the clip, No 10 said: "There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times."
The Metropolitan Police said it was reviewing the footage, which it said related to "alleged breaches" of coronavirus regulations.The Metropolitan Police said it was reviewing the footage, which it said related to "alleged breaches" of coronavirus regulations.
It said: "It is our policy not to routinely investigate retrospective breaches of the Covid-19 regulations, however the footage will form part of our considerations."It said: "It is our policy not to routinely investigate retrospective breaches of the Covid-19 regulations, however the footage will form part of our considerations."
'Laughing''Laughing'
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: "The government broke the rules, they partied and now they're laughing."Labour leader Keir Starmer said: "The government broke the rules, they partied and now they're laughing."
He accused the prime minister of "taking the public for fools" and said he should "tell the truth and apologise".He accused the prime minister of "taking the public for fools" and said he should "tell the truth and apologise".
The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said the prime minister "must remove himself from office immediately" if it was true there was a Downing Street Christmas party that was not socially distanced last year.The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said the prime minister "must remove himself from office immediately" if it was true there was a Downing Street Christmas party that was not socially distanced last year.
Mr Blackford said the video was "damning and leaves the prime minister with a lot to answer for" while "every individual up and down the country was told to stay at home in order to protect the NHS".Mr Blackford said the video was "damning and leaves the prime minister with a lot to answer for" while "every individual up and down the country was told to stay at home in order to protect the NHS".
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group called on the prime minister to "tell the truth" about the party.The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group called on the prime minister to "tell the truth" about the party.
"In September, Boris Johnson looked bereaved families in the eyes and told them he had done everything he could to save their loved ones," it said."In September, Boris Johnson looked bereaved families in the eyes and told them he had done everything he could to save their loved ones," it said.
"There are simply no words to describe how upsetting and shameful it is to then hear Boris Johnson's team laughing about breaking the rules they had made, whilst others followed them and could only say goodbye to their loved ones through a screen.""There are simply no words to describe how upsetting and shameful it is to then hear Boris Johnson's team laughing about breaking the rules they had made, whilst others followed them and could only say goodbye to their loved ones through a screen."
On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he was "satisfied" no Covid rules were broken A current serving minister has told me it is appalling and a senior backbencher said it could be catastrophic for the government.
On the No 10 position, a government source told BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg: "This line won't hold. As bad as Cummings road trip for sure." Remember for the last few weeks Downing Street has been refusing to give more details of exactly what happened 12 months ago.
Remember too the context of the time.
When this event took place on 18 December, Covid was again taking a grip, the public were again being instructed by the prime minister that they were going to have to take more precautions.
England was going to be in lockdown again and people were no longer going to be able to see their relatives.
This video shows what was going on behind closed doors at No 10 - not just talking about the gathering that did take place but seeming to laugh at exactly what had unfolded and considering how they might explain it if the news ever got out.
On the No 10 position, a government source told the BBC: "This line won't hold. As bad as Cummings road trip for sure."
A senior Conservative told her the Owen Paterson affair showed the prime minister "didn't think the rules applied to his friends".A senior Conservative told her the Owen Paterson affair showed the prime minister "didn't think the rules applied to his friends".
"This video demonstrates that's widely shared in No 10 by senior political advisers. People prevented by the gov[ernment] from seeing loved ones at end of their life will conclude they were taken for fools"."This video demonstrates that's widely shared in No 10 by senior political advisers. People prevented by the gov[ernment] from seeing loved ones at end of their life will conclude they were taken for fools".
And senior Conservative Charles Walker said: "The No 10 party means that any future lockdowns will be advisory, whatever the law says".And senior Conservative Charles Walker said: "The No 10 party means that any future lockdowns will be advisory, whatever the law says".
Another Conservative Tobias Ellwood said "the government needs to get in front of this story, and take it seriously". He said someone should be appointed to look into what happened "rather than allow this to drift and allow this to continue to be a distraction".
The government has been under pressure about the party since it was first reported by the Daily Mirror last week.The government has been under pressure about the party since it was first reported by the Daily Mirror last week.
On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he was "satisfied" no Covid rules were broken
The Mirror said last year's official Downing Street Christmas party was cancelled due to restrictions, but staff held an unofficial gathering.The Mirror said last year's official Downing Street Christmas party was cancelled due to restrictions, but staff held an unofficial gathering.
A source who attended later told the BBC that party games were played, food and drink were served, the party went on past midnight and that "several dozen" people attended.A source who attended later told the BBC that party games were played, food and drink were served, the party went on past midnight and that "several dozen" people attended.
Asked about the party, Boris Johnson had said he is "satisfied" no Covid rules were broken.Asked about the party, Boris Johnson had said he is "satisfied" no Covid rules were broken.
But the Covid restrictions operating at the time banned such get-togethers.But the Covid restrictions operating at the time banned such get-togethers.
No 10 has refused to explain how party-goers complied, despite days of questioning by reporters.No 10 has refused to explain how party-goers complied, despite days of questioning by reporters.
'Ballistic''Ballistic'
Following the leak of the clip, one Conservative MP told the BBC: "This story is incredibly frustrating as we don't have official details either. I'm getting messages from my constituents, accusing me of being at the party... It's very difficult to respond in any detail because I don't have any and wasn't there."Following the leak of the clip, one Conservative MP told the BBC: "This story is incredibly frustrating as we don't have official details either. I'm getting messages from my constituents, accusing me of being at the party... It's very difficult to respond in any detail because I don't have any and wasn't there."
Another said: "We are all battening down the hatches... it's indefensible".Another said: "We are all battening down the hatches... it's indefensible".
And according to another MP the chief whip had "gone ballistic" with No 10.And according to another MP the chief whip had "gone ballistic" with No 10.
Meanwhile, the Mirror has reported that in December 2020, then Education Secretary Gavin Williamson held a party for staff.Meanwhile, the Mirror has reported that in December 2020, then Education Secretary Gavin Williamson held a party for staff.
A spokeswoman for the education department said a "gathering" was held for those were already in the office who couldn't work from home.A spokeswoman for the education department said a "gathering" was held for those were already in the office who couldn't work from home.
"Drinks and snacks were brought by those attending and no outside guests or supporting staff were invited or present. While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time.""Drinks and snacks were brought by those attending and no outside guests or supporting staff were invited or present. While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."
What were the rules on office parties in December 2020?What were the rules on office parties in December 2020?
Any party at Downing Street would have breached the government's guidelines at the time.Any party at Downing Street would have breached the government's guidelines at the time.
Its guidance for the Christmas period specifically said: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."Its guidance for the Christmas period specifically said: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."
The other question is whether it would have been illegal.The other question is whether it would have been illegal.
London at the time was in Tier 3 and the law banned gatherings of two or more people indoors unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.London at the time was in Tier 3 and the law banned gatherings of two or more people indoors unless it was "reasonably necessary" for work.
There was also a specific prohibition on organising an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.There was also a specific prohibition on organising an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.
But there may have theoretically been a loophole for government buildings like 10 Downing Street because of the 1984 legislation used to bring in the tier system, according to Adam Wagner - a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an expert on Covid regulations.But there may have theoretically been a loophole for government buildings like 10 Downing Street because of the 1984 legislation used to bring in the tier system, according to Adam Wagner - a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and an expert on Covid regulations.
Another barrister, Charles Holland from Trinity Chambers, tweeted that there would have needed to be an agreement with Westminster City Council for the regulations to apply in Downing Street.Another barrister, Charles Holland from Trinity Chambers, tweeted that there would have needed to be an agreement with Westminster City Council for the regulations to apply in Downing Street.