Mayhem in Downing Street as Christmas Party Video Leaked

Video shows downing street staff joking in a leaked recording about a Christmas party that was denied last year.

The PM’s then press Secretary Allegra Stratton is asked by colleagues about reports of a Christmas party jokingly in rehearsal for a press meeting as she wouldn’t have known what to say if she got asked questions in a real meeting.

This is the transcript of the video…

 “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night, do you recognise those reports?”

“I went home”, replies Ms Stratton, laughing, before composing herself, telling colleagues to "hold on", as she appears to consider what her answer should be.

“Umm, errr, ahhhh,” are the noises she makes as she looks around the room, apparently stuck for words.

Following a long pause, Mr Oldfield asks: “Would the prime minister condone having a Christmas party?”

Ms Stratton laughs, looking down, before responding, “what’s the answer?”

Staff then attempt to help the PM’s former spokesperson formulate a response.

“It wasn’t a party, it was cheese and wine”, replies one.

“Is cheese and wine alright?” Ms Stratton asks. At that point the staff member who made the cheese and wine comment seems to say "No... joking".

Ms Stratton adds “it was a business meeting”, as she laughs again.

She then warns her colleagues, “this is recorded” and states through more laughter, “this fictional party was a business meeting, and it was not socially distanced.”

At this time London was in tier 3 and some of the rules that are stated by the official government website are…

You should only spend time in your house or garden with the people you live with. This means you cannot invite people you don’t live with over to your house or in your garden unless they are in your support bubble.

You can meet with others in public outdoor places, such as beaches or parks, but only in groups of up to 6 people. 

You should maintain social distancing from anyone not in your household or support bubble.

You should work from home where possible. Where this isn't possible, workplaces should be coronavirus secure.

Also, at this time the Christmas rules were released on the official government website again which were…

On 25 December each household can form a 'Christmas bubble' with up to two other households. The rules have been updated so households will only be allowed to socialise on Christmas day.

So as the whole of London at this point were told they could only see the people they lived with and that they could only spent Christmas with very little of their family for one day the No.10 staff were partying with no social distancing.

It is expected that Boris Johnson will face some tough questions about the party and the video from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Ministers question at 12pm today.

On the day of this party people had lost their lives because of the virus. And on the day this video was taken which was 22nd December 2020 608 people had passed.