A senior aide to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned, hours after an investigation began into allegations of a Covid-breaking Christmas party at Downing Street last year.
Mr Johnson ordered the investigation into claims staff broke lockdown rules and told MPs he was furious about leaked footage apparently showing aides joking about it.
The prime minister apologised unreservedly for the offence caused by the footage of Allegra Stratton, his spokeswoman at the time, at a mock press conference.
Ms Stratton was in tears as she announced her resignation, apologising to people who have made “immense sacrifices” and said she would “regret those remarks for the rest of my days”.
The film cam to light on Tuesday night and showed Ms Stratton laughing as she appeared to rehearse answers to questions about the festive gathering.
The video obtained by ITV News, reportedly from December 22 last year, refers to a party on “Friday” — which would have been December 18, the day it is claimed there was a staff party, where games were played, food and drinks were served, and revelry went on past midnight.
Ed Oldfield, Mr Johnson’s special adviser, can be heard asking Ms Stratton: “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night. Do you recognise those reports?”
Ms Stratton replied that she had gone home before appearing to consider what the correct answer should be.
During the rehearsal, filmed as part of a subsequently abandoned plan for Ms Stratton to lead televised press briefings, one aide is heard saying: “It wasn’t a party, it was cheese and wine.”
“Is cheese and wine all right? It was a business meeting,” Ms Stratton replied, to laughter in the room.
“My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention.
“I will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and offer my profound apologies to all of you for them.
“To all of you who lost loved ones, endured intolerable loneliness and struggled with your businesses — I am truly sorry, and this afternoon I am offering my resignation to the prime minister.”
“I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and I apologise for the impression that it gives.”
The leaked footage was shot in the media room at No 9 Downing Street, which was refurbished at a cost of £2.6 million ($3.4m) in preparation for the televised broadcasts before the plan was ditched.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were reviewing the leaked video in relation to “alleged breaches” of coronavirus regulations.
“There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times,” a Downing Street spokesman said in response to ITV’s report.
The Times reported that staff wore festive jumpers and were asked to bring “Secret Santa” gifts but the prime minister had insisted no rules were broken.
They were reported to have brought alcohol and food to the event, which was said to have been attended by dozens of people at a time when London was in Tier 3 restrictions banning social mixing indoors.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman had insisted “there was not a party”, but during a visit to a prison on Tuesday, the prime minister refused to describe the event.
“What I can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed, continue to be observed,” he said.
Ministers have yet to explain how the alleged party complied with the rules in place at the time, despite coming under pressure since an initial.
