Allegra Stratton, Boris Johnson’s Press Secretary, The Christmas Party Sniggeringly War Game Question

Boris Johnson staunchly insisted on Wednesday that “no party” took place at 10 Downing Street in the run-up to Christmas last year, despite the damning video of his spokesman using a fake press conference to laugh and joke about the Christmas party at 10 Downing Street.

The party is believed to have taken place last year while London was under a Christmas lockdown, banning all social organizations and households from integrating in the house with the threat of a £10,000 ($13,000) fine. la).

The government has firmly rejected the party, British newspaper Mirror is believed to have taken place on December 18, has happened, affirming all COVID-19 regulations have been followed. Below the rush to build regulations, some gatherings, such as business meetings, have been allowed.

That defense, however, was blown away Tuesday night after a video was leaked to ITV News of then-Johnson spokesman Allegra Stratton’s question playing a party war scam. – but Mirror allegedly involved a secret Santa, alcohol, a puzzle and “40 or 50” people — during a fake press conference.

In the video, Stratton giggles and sneers as a man identified as Ed Oldfield, an adviser to the prime minister, poses a mocking question, saying: “I just saw reports on Twitter that there was a party. Christmas in Downing Street on Friday night, do you recognize those reports? “

Stratton replied with a laugh, as she leaned across the podium: “I’m home.”

Oldfield then asked: “Does the Prime Minister want to throw a Christmas party?”

Stratton, still smiling, replied, “What’s the answer?”

“I don’t know!” Oldfield said with amusement.

Another unidentified employee was later heard absentmindedly: “It’s not a party… it’s cheese and wine.”

Stratton then said sarcastically: “Is the cheese and wine okay? It was a business meeting.”

Everyone laughed before another employee said, “No! … was joking! “

Stratton later said, still laughing, “This has been recorded. This fictional party is a business meeting…and isn’t it socially distanced? “

The recording was made on December 22, two days after the British embargo escalated, causing millions of people to have Christmas canceled. Many are banned from visiting dying family members. A £10,000 fine has been imposed on rule-breakers and the video has prompted British police to say they will investigate the alleged party.

Senior minister Sajid Javid was excluded from media interviews on Wednesday morning and “chaired” by the BBC. On ITV’s breakfast show Good morning England, host Susanna Reid said, “This is like a gas light. We knew something was up but we kept having murky waters.”

In a statement in the House of Commons, Johnson said: “I understand and share the country’s ups and downs in anger at how Number 10 staff seem to have brought to light the lockdown measures.

“I can understand how angry it must be to think that the people who set the rules didn’t follow the rules because I was also angry when I saw that clip.

“I sincerely apologize for the offense it caused and I apologize for the impression it gave.

“But I repeat that I have repeatedly been assured since these allegations surfaced that there is no partisanship and no COVID rules have been broken. That is something I have been assured many times, but I have asked the cabinet secretary to verify all the facts and report back as soon as possible, and needless to say if those rules are violated. there will be disciplinary action against all of them. implicated.”

The revelation comes as Johnson’s government is tipped to tighten restrictions amid fears of a dizzying rise in Omicron cases, with work-from-home guidance and vaccine passports expected. to be announced imminently.

Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry accused Johnson of “acting like Henry VIII” amid calls for his resignation.