those commons exchanges took place. between the labour leader keir starmer and borisjohnson. between the labour leader keir starmerand borisjohnson. perhaps starmer and boris johnson. perhaps what starmer and borisjohnson. perhaps what was starmerand borisjohnson. perhaps what was more dangerous for the prime minister was the incoming fire that had already come from his own side before he took to the dispatch box, questions about what exactly happened on december the 18th last year. we have had a week of denials and non denials about a party that the bbc has on good authority, took place. it took place with wine, alcohol, food and there were party games. and still come as you have just said, the prime minister was told, he has been reassured by those at number ten, his advisers, that there was no party and no covid rules were broken. if there was a party then covid rules were broken, absolutely. because london, the capital was on lockdown. there wasn t supposed to be any social
just as he defended matt hancock and dominic cummings, and it has left him exposed. members of the public who followed the rules at the time are furious, and mp5 as well. his ability to get people to follow new restrictions undermined. have you lied to the public? a prime ministerfacing questions at every turn, but he didn t even wait for one before making a statement. i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, because i was also furious to see that clip and i apologise unreservedly for the offence it has caused up and down the country and i apologise for the impression that it gives. he announced an internal investigation but said he had been assured there was no party.
december last year when london the day after london and parts of the south east were placed into tougher tier 4 restrictions and millions had their christmas plans cancelled. the footage obtained by itv news is reportedly from the 22nd december four days after the party. relatives of people who died in the pandemic are among those to have expressed anger at the emergence of the video. our correspondent, tim muffett, has been gauging reaction. political stories sometimes slip by unnoticed. ~ ., political stories sometimes slip by unnoticed. ~ . ., , ., unnoticed. what about this one? the government unnoticed. what about this one? the government have unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set out unnoticed. what about this one? the government have set out guidelinesl government have set out guidelines rules and the lockdown for them to have a christmas party and when questioned about it, a business meeting
downing street in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown. it follows a week of denials from the government that such a party had ever taken place. at the event, guests are reported to have enjoyed cheese and wine, and taken part in a secret santa and party games. london had moved into tier 3 restrictions that meant indoor social gatherings were banned and only six people could meet in outdoor public spaces. government guidance specifically banned work christmas lunches or parties. number 10 has insisted that no party took place and all rules were followed. it comes as whitehall sources told the bbc an announcement on tighter coronavirus restrictions could be imminent. my colleague, jo coburn, is in westminster. it is in westminster. was very lively and heated pmq but it was very lively and heated pmqs, but a lot of questions still for the prime minister? but a lot of questions still for the prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing prime minister? yes, absolutely. i am standing
important things distress is about the prime minister s authority, about the prime minister being able to, if it happens today, to ask the public at large to abide by tightening covid restrictions. the plan b we have heard about in the wake of the omicron variant. that could mean our lives restricted feather, vaccine passports for certain events. it could be even more mandatory mask wearing. will he be able to do that legitimately and credibly? and will people comply if there are still such a big questions over what went on under his own roof. because that is the other thing, if said he was assured no party took place at no covid rules were broken, then the prime minister doesn t seem to know what is going on inside the building in which he resides. ., ,, ., ., ., on inside the building in which he resides. ., ,, ., ., ., ., resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably resides. allegra stratton and other staff, presumably are resides. allegra stratton and other staff, pr