Wednesday, December 8th, 2021
Party despite lockdown in 2020?
Christmas party puts Johnson in a mess
He himself is said not to have been there, but a Christmas party allegedly held in Boris Johnson’s official residence in December 2020 causes the Prime Minister to have to explain. An internal video that has now appeared causes a stir. So far, the government has rejected the allegations.
An alleged Christmas party in the official residence of the British Prime Minister during the Corona lockdown a year ago is putting Prime Minister Boris Johnson under considerable pressure. Of the Channel ITV posted an internal video Tuesday night suggesting dozen government officials were having a party of drinks, canapés and board games on December 18, 2020. At that time, strict contact restrictions were in place, and celebrations and gatherings were forbidden. Johnson did not take part in the party. He has clearly rejected the allegations in the past few days.
The newspaper “Daily Mirror” reported on the alleged celebration a few days ago. The government and Johnson personally have since insisted that all corona regulations at 10 Downing Street have been adhered to. Political commentators in London agreed in the evening that the video that has now been published contradicts these assertions. Opposition leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of lying.
The clip shows Johnson’s advisor Ed Oldfield and his then spokeswoman Allegra Stratton joking about the answer to a possible question about a party in a rehearsal for a press conference a few days after the event. “This fictional party was a business meeting and there were no social distance rules,” says Stratton with a laugh. Another present said there was wine and cheese.
From Downing Street it was said on Tuesday evening: “There was no Christmas party. Covid rules were followed at all times.” At least two MPs from the opposition Labor party have already asked the police after the “Mirror” revelation to investigate the report, which had been confirmed by other media.