Sir Mike Penning says that he is “very angry” following a leaked video in which senior Downing Street staff joked about holding a No 10 Christmas party during lockdown last year.
Ministers are being questioned whether they attended an alleged Christmas party at Downing Street last year on December 18, after the Prime Minister and other senior members denied that any rules were broken.
Last night ITV News leaked a mock televised press briefing days after December 18 of former spokesperson Allegra Stratton reluctantly answering a question about an alleged Christmas party, before joking there was “definitely no social distancing”.
The video put into question whether a Christmas party did in fact happen, despite continued claims that one did not take place.
ALERT 🚨 A bombshell video recording of senior Downing Street staff laughing and discussing their Christmas party that allegedly took place amid Covid lockdown last winter has leaked
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) December 7, 2021
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Hemel Hempstead MP, Sir Mike, has said that if the alleged gathering did in fact happen, then it is “totally unacceptable”.
He said: "Obviously, I was not at this alleged event, and have no more knowledge about it than anyone else having only learned about it from the media.
“I can assure you I am very angry about this. If the rules that the rest of us had to follow were broken, then this is totally unacceptable.”
Today during the Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Boris Johnson said that he was “furious” over the leaked video and he has ordered an inquiry to the reports.
However, he insisted that staff repeatedly assured him “there was no party and no Covid rules were broken”.
In response, Sir Mike said: “I back the Prime Minister's decision to hold an inquiry and, if rules were found to have been broken by staff at Downing Street, then there have to be consequences."
Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden felt a similar nature and said: "Like everyone, I was deeply concerned to see Downing Street officials joking about the restrictions we imposed on the country and share the anger people rightly feel."
He continued: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly assured that all Coronavirus guidance has been followed in Downing Street at all times. He has rightly tasked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate and establish the facts of what may have taken place given the recent reports and has said disciplinary action would be taken if rules were indeed broken.
"I did not attend any Christmas parties last year and I of course agree the Government should abide by the rules we set and expect others to follow."
Other local MPs, including Dean Russell for Watford and Gagan Mohindra for South West Hertfordshire were also contacted by the Watford Observer this morning.
We await for a response from Mr Russell and Mr Mohindra.
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