Boris Johnson may have broken the law with a Christmas quiz last year, Labour and the SNP have said, while a Tory minister defended the event by saying there was “no alcohol on the table” and “no rule against recognising Christmas with tinsel”.
Images have emerged in the Sunday Mirror of the prime minister during the Downing Street quiz, sitting next to members of staff wearing tinsel and a santa hat.
The newspaper reported this took place days before a No 10 gathering currently under investigation by Cabinet secretary Simon Case.
Tory minister Nadhim Zahawi defended the event on Sunday, saying it was a “virtual call” and no one was drinking.
Guidance at the time said members of the public should not have a “work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.”
Amid the row over Christmas parties, Labour has surged to its highest polling lead over the Conservatives in seven years.
Boris Johnson slams BBC for Christmas party coverage – report
Another report today claims Boris Johnson has blasted the BBC over its coverage of the Downing Street Christmas party row.
The Daily Mail reported the prime minister called the broadcaster “frivilous and vengeful” and criticised it for neglecting a “primary duty” of promoting booster jabs.
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Full story: Starmer says Johnson ‘may have broken law’
Boris Johnson looks to have broken the law when he hosted a Christmas quiz at Downing Street during lockdown, Labour’s leader has said.
Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said it “looks as though” the prime minister was in breach of the rules.
Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:
Police warning over Covid rule compliance after Christmas party scandal
Senior police officers have warned that public compliance with new Covid laws will be affected by the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.
Sources told The Independent anecdotal reports were coming in over terse exchanges between police and the public in recent days, and officers fear any move to ban parties would prompt a significant backlash.
One senior police officer, speaking off the record, warned that if any new restrictions come in, the “public would try to comply… but would be rightly p****d off.”
Here is the exclusive by Lizzie Dearden, our home affairs editor:
By-election could be ‘protest vote’, Tory minister
Back to the North Shropshire by-election, the Conservatives have appeared to play down their chances of winning after a minister said the electorate could use the poll as a “protest vote”.
Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio by-elections are sometimes used to “send a message”, in what will be read as a hint that the Tories think they could lose the contest, despite enjoying a comfortable majority of almost 23,000 at the last election two years ago.
Full story:
Met Police maintains stance on Downing Street ‘parties’
Rachel Wearmouth from the Daily Mirror says the Met Police maintains it will not investigate Downing Street for potential Covid breaches last year:
North Shropshire Tories say PM is ‘hinderance’ ahead of by-election
The current row over Christmas parties comes days before North Shropshire goes to the polls for a by-election – triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson.
Local tories have said Boris Johnson has become a hindrance to Conservative campaigners in the area, with activists repeatedly admonished on the doorstep over a prime minister perceived to be presiding over a series of scandals and mis-steps.
Colin Drury reports:
‘National vaccination mission’
In other news, Boris Johnson is set to launch a “national vaccination mission” in a bid to head off the omicron variant of Covid.
Jon Stone, our policy correspondent, reports:
Starmer backs government in Covid vote
In other news, the government is preparing to vote on new Covid restrictions on Tuesday.
These are expected to become law this week after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his party would be supporting the government in next week’s vote.
The PM could potentially be facing the largest rebellion of his premiership over the new restrictions, with more than 60 Conservative MPs said to be against them.
Additional reporting by PA
ICYMI: Zahawi defends No10 Christmas quiz
Nadhim Zahawi defended the Downing Street Christmas quiz in media interviews this morning, giving reasons such as there was no alcohol on the table.
Watch here:
Round-up of Christmas party allegations
Accusations of Christmas festivites in Westminster last year – amid strict Covid restrictions – have continued to emerge this weekend.
Fresh reports of a Christmas quiz in Downing Street come after days of allegations involving parties for government staff.
Andy Gregory has the full round-up:
