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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 one 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.
But a source previously confirmed to the BBC that a party did take place there on 18 December, with "several dozen" people in attendance.But a source previously confirmed to the BBC that a party did take place there on 18 December, with "several dozen" people in attendance.
The mock news conference took place in Downing Street on Tuesday 22 December, without members of the media present.The mock news conference took place in Downing Street on Tuesday 22 December, without members of the media present.
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 were banned unless they were "reasonably necessary" for work.
A day after Ms Stratton's jokey exchange, 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.A day after Ms Stratton's jokey exchange, 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.
Kuenssberg: What next for Johnson after the No 10 party video?Kuenssberg: What next for Johnson after the No 10 party video?
PM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas partiesPM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas parties
Covid families 'sickened' by No 10 Christmas partyCovid families 'sickened' by No 10 Christmas party
In the clip, obtained by ITV, Ms Stratton responds in a playful tone to questions from colleagues pretending to be journalists.In the clip, obtained by ITV, Ms Stratton responds in a playful tone to questions from colleagues pretending to be journalists.
Special adviser to the prime minister Ed Oldfield asks her about reports of a party in Downing Street "on Friday night".Special adviser to the prime minister Ed Oldfield asks her about reports of a party in Downing Street "on Friday night".
In reply, Ms Stratton says: "I went home" and then pauses.In reply, Ms Stratton says: "I went home" and then pauses.
After Mr Oldfield follows up to question if the prime minister would "condone" a Christmas party, Ms Stratton asks: "What's the answer?"After Mr Oldfield follows up to question if the prime minister would "condone" a Christmas party, Ms Stratton asks: "What's the answer?"
When another aide jokes that "it wasn't a party, it was cheese and wine" she laughs and asks "is cheese and wine all right?", adding: "This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."When another aide jokes that "it wasn't a party, it was cheese and wine" she laughs and asks "is cheese and wine all right?", 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."
'Laughing' 'Shameful'
Labour leader Keir Starmer said people across the country had "followed the rules even when that meant being separated from their families", while many had been "unable to say goodbye to their loved ones".Labour leader Keir Starmer said people across the country had "followed the rules even when that meant being separated from their families", while many had been "unable to say goodbye to their loved ones".
He added: "They had a right to expect that the government was doing the same. To lie and to laugh about those lies is shameful.He added: "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.""The prime minister now needs to come clean and apologise. It cannot be one rule for the Conservatives and another for everyone else."
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".
One woman told the BBC her mother died of Covid in hospital on her own on the same night as the Downing Street party.One woman told the BBC her mother died of Covid in hospital on her own on the same night as the Downing Street party.
Jackie Green, of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group, described the footage as "totally reprehensible", adding that it was "indicative of the bigger problem within the government that they think they are above the rules and they can do exactly what they like".Jackie Green, of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group, described the footage as "totally reprehensible", adding that it was "indicative of the bigger problem within the government that they think they are above the rules and they can do exactly what they like".
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 added: "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 added: "It is our policy not to routinely investigate retrospective breaches of the Covid-19 regulations, however the footage will form part of our considerations."
A current serving minister has told me it is appalling and a senior backbencher said it could be catastrophic for the government.A current serving minister has told me it is appalling and a senior backbencher said it could be catastrophic for the government.
Remember, for the last few weeks Downing Street has been refusing to give more details of exactly what happened 12 months ago.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.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.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.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.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.
Read more from Laura.Read more from Laura.
On the No 10 position, a government source told the BBC: "This line won't hold. As bad as Cummings road trip for sure." 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 said the Owen Paterson affair showed the prime minister "didn't think the rules applied to his friends".A senior Conservative said 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 brokenOn Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he was "satisfied" no Covid rules were broken
The Mirror said last year's official Downing Street Christmas party had been cancelled due to restrictions, but staff held an unofficial gathering.The Mirror said last year's official Downing Street Christmas party had been 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 earlier on Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he was "satisfied" no Covid rules had been broken.Asked about the party earlier on Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he was "satisfied" no Covid rules had been 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 the partygoers complied, despite days of questioning by reporters.No 10 has refused to explain how the partygoers complied, despite days of questioning by reporters.
'Ballistic' 'Indefensible'
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.