Boris Johnson’s top aide presented ‘awards at Christmas party in Downing Street’ during lockdown

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Boris Johnson’s chief communications adviser gave a thank-you speech and handed out the awards at an alleged Christmas party in Downing Street on December 18 that is now the subject of an internal investigation by the Cabinet Office, ITV News was told.

It is understood that Jack Doyle, who is currently the 10th most senior physician but was the deputy director of communications, addressed up to 50 people who were present at the alleged party.

ITV News was also told that Doyle handed out testimonials as part of a Joke Awards to members of the communications team for work done during the year.

Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that prominent figures thanked the employees every weekend, and this was a routine letter. But on this occasion, ITV News learned that several awards were given to the team that received paper certificates.

Prior to joining Downing Street, Doyle previously worked as a journalist for the likes of the Daily Mail and the Press Association.

On Wednesday, ITV News revealed that top Downing Street employees joked about holding their 10th birthday party just four days after the alleged event took place.

Boris Johnson has since apologized, saying he was “outraged” to see the leaked video.

Senior Downing Street employees joke about throwing a Christmas party at a fake televised press conference

He also asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate whether events at Number 10 last year violated strict lockdown rules, but added that he had been “reassured time and time again” that there was no party.

Johnson’s former press secretary, who appeared in the video, also resigned in the fallout, and on Thursday, it was confirmed that two other law-breaking parties attended by people in the government would be subject to an official investigation.

The prime minister is facing wrath from his deputies, not just over the alleged rule violation, but because he hastily launched the switch to his Plan B for Covid restrictions amid the uproar around parties last year.

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