Prime Minister Boris Johnson orders inquiry into Downing Street ‘Christmas party’

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The Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry into reports of an illegal Christmas party in Downing Street last year.

Boris Johnson said he was “furious” about for footage of his then-spokesman Allegra Stratton laughing about the alleged boozy get-together during a mock press conference and apologised “unreservedly” for the clip.

However, he insisted his staff had repeatedly assured him “there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken”.

Mr Johnson told Parliament he has asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case “to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible”

He added if rules were broken “then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved”.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, he said: “I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing No 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures, and I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules because I was also furious to see that clip.”

Several dozen people are alleged to have attended the gathering in Downing Street, which would have breached the Government's Covid guidelines for London at the time.

Sir Keir Starmer said the Government had damaged its “credibility in enforcing the rules now and in the future” amid reports ministers are expected to implement Plan B Covid restrictions this week to help combat the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Labour leader said: “The British people put the health of others above themselves and followed the rules. Isn’t the Prime Minister ashamed that his Downing Street couldn’t do the same?”

The Prime Minister said the events on December 18 “will be properly investigated”.

He added: “What people should not do is lose focus on what we are trying to do now.

“Of course we will deal with the events of what may or may not have taken place on December 18 last year, but what I think we need to focus on today is what we’re doing to roll out the vaccinations across this country and what we’re doing to protect the public.”

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