more now on the political controversy engulfing the government on whether and what happened around christmas parties a year ago. we have just heard from our westminster colleagues that the chief civil servant at the department of education has said that the then education has said that the then education secretary gavin williamson instigated a small party at the offices of the government on the tenth of december last year because he wanted to thank staff for their work and that was first reported by the mirror newspaper. she said about two dozen people including herself had attended in the department riposte canteen where there were drinks and snacks brought by staff themselves and she told mp5 on the public accounts committee that although it was a work related gathering she accepted it would have been better not to have held the eventin been better not to have held the event in that way at that time. she asked the cabinet secretary to investigate because there will be disciplinary ac
as well as investigating the number ten party is now going to investigate a department of education party although there are still questions about whether he himself was involved in any of those gatherings. borisjohnson has announced an investigation into the party held in downing street last christmas saying he was sickened after seeing a video last night in which some of his senior officials joked about it. but at prime minister s questions, he continued to deny it had taken place. he apologised for any offence caused by the video, but denied anyone in downing street had broken any rules. i understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and i can understand how infuriating it must be 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,
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. every is in westminster. hour it seems there are new questions every hour it seems there are new questions on this? the every hour it seems there are new questions on this? every hour it seems there are new questions on this? the division bell has ust questions on this? the division bell
says he has been told no rules were broken, downing street still saying there was no party, do you believe him? ., ., . . there was no party, do you believe him? ., ., ., ., , , him? no, not at all. it is very difficult. him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard to - him? no, not at all. it is very difficult, very hard to believe | difficult, very hard to believe anything that he says. he is a serial liar and he s been found lying before and this time is no different. and the apology rings hollow, he is not sorry. i think he s just sorry they caught, actually. you know, there is a real problem with integrity with this government. problem with integrity with this government- problem with integrity with this rovernment. , ., ., , government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain government. obviously, i am sure he would maintain he government. obviously, i am sure
we have all watched the video of the prime minister s staff, including his personal spokesperson. they knew there was a party. they knew it was against the rules. they knew they could not admit it, and they thought it was funny. it is obvious what happened. ant and dec are ahead of the prime minister on this! mr speaker, i have been repeatedly assured that no rules were not broken. her majesty the queen sat alone when she marked the passing of the man she had been married to for 73 years. leadership, sacrifice, that is what gives leaders the moral authority to lead. does the prime minister think he has the moral authority to lead and to ask the british people to stick to the rules? not only that, but the labour party and the labour leader in particular have played politics