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Boris Johnson has said “all guidance was followed completely” as the prime minister was accused by Sir Keir Starmer of hosting a “boozy party” in Downing Street last Christmas despite COVID rules that were in place at the time.
The Labour leader said Mr Johnson was “taking the British public for fools” as the pair clashed at Prime Minister’s Questions.
It comes after the Daily Mirror reported that the PM made a speech at a leaving do on 13 November – when the country was in the second lockdown – and allowed a festive party to proceed on 18 December when London was in the grip of Tier 3 restrictions.
The report was seized upon by Sir Keir, who asked Mr Johnson at PMQs: “As millions of people were locked down last year, was a Christmas party thrown in Downing Street for dozens of people on 18 December?”
Mr Johnson did not deny that a party had taken place, telling the Commons: “What I can tell (him) is that all guidance was followed completely (during) Number 10 and can I recommend to (him) that he does the same with his own Christmas party, which is advertised for 15 December, to which unaccountably he’s failed to invite the deputy leader.”
The PM’s jibe about Sir Keir’s Christmas party is a reference to reports that the Labour leader has not invited Angela Rayner, his deputy, to festive drinks later this month.
“Nice try but that won’t work,” Sir Keir hit back.
“The defence seems to be no rules were broken. Well, I’ve got the rules that were in place at the time, prime minister, of this party, they’re very clear.
“You must not have a work Christmas lunch or party. Does the prime minister really expect the country to believe that while people were banned from seeing their loved ones at Christmas last year, it was fine for him and his friends to throw a boozy party in Downing Street?”
Mr Johnson replied: “I’ve said what I’ve said about Number 10 and the events of 12 months ago, but since he asks about what we’re asking the country to do…
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Source : skynews
