UK government slammed alleged Christmas party for violating lockdown | Coronavirus pandemic News

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A video leaked to UK media appears to show the Prime Ministers’ team joking about holding the celebrations last year.

A leaked video that shows staff in the office of British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons joking about the organization of a Christmas party in breach of the lockdown is fueling claims that government officials have flouted the coronavirus rules that ‘they imposed on everyone.

For days, the Prime Minister’s Office tried to refute reports that Johnsons staff organized an office party in December 2020 with wine, food, games and a festive gift exchange when regulations in pandemic matters banned most social gatherings.

According to several British media outlets, the party took place on December 18, when restrictions in London banned indoor gatherings, and a day before Johnson toughened the rules even further, ruling out family Christmases for millions of people. people.

Opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said the PM should be frank and apologize.

People across the country followed the rules even when it meant being separated from their families, locked up and tragically for many unable to say goodbye to loved ones, Starmer said. They were entitled to expect the government to do the same. To lie and laugh at these lies is shameful.

In response to the footage, released Tuesday night by broadcaster ITV, the prime minister’s office said: There was no Christmas party. COVID rules were followed at all times.

The video, recorded on December 22, 2020, shows then-press secretary Allegra Stratton appearing to be joking about an illicit party at the Prime Minister’s Office in Downing Street.

The recording appears to be a mock press conference, held as a rehearsal for the daily televised government press briefings.

Another assistant, playing the role of a reporter, says: I just saw reports on Twitter that there was a Christmas party in Downing Street on Friday night, do you recognize these reports?

As laughter is heard, Stratton, the press secretary, says: I have come home and ask my colleagues: What is the answer? Another voice can be heard saying: It was not a party, it was cheese and wine.

Are the cheese and wine okay? It was a business meeting, Stratton laughs.

Thousands of people in Britain have been fined since early 2020 for violating restrictions by staging illegal gatherings.

London Metropolitan Police said officers were reviewing the leaked video in connection with alleged coronavirus regulatory violations.

The Christmas party allegations are the latest in a string of rule-breaking and ethical violation charges by the Johnsons Conservative government.

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