THE ALLEGED Downing Street Christmas party WON’T be probed by police, it was confirmed tonight.
The Metropolitan Police said it will not investigate allegations of a party at Downing Street due to an “absence of evidence” and a force policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of coronavirus regulations.
Allegra Stratton was filmed being asked about an alleged Christmas Party in No10
This comes as Boris’ top aide Allegra Stratton resigned in tears this afternoon just hours after bombshell footage showed her laughing about a lockdown-busting Christmas party at No10.
The PM earlier said he was “sickened” by the leaked video of his senior advisers joking about the alleged illegal gathering last year.
In the Commons at lunchtime, Mr Johnson said the video leaked to ITV made him “furious” and launched an investigation into the December 18 party.
He said Downing St staff could face “disciplinary action” but said he’s been assured no Covid rules were broken.
But before any action ex-journalist Ms Stratton, 41, announced she was leaving the government and offered her resignation the PM.
She said: “My remarks seemed to make light of rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention.
“I understand the anger and frustration that people feel. To all of you who lost loved ones, endured intolerable loneliness and struggled with your business – I am sorry and this afternoon I have offered my resignation to Prime Minister.”
The video showed Ms Stratton – then the PM’s press secretary – fielding questions from colleagues at a mock press conference on December 22.
It was a practice run for the televised White House-style briefings before the idea was canned.
During the session another aide asked for her response to the party, to which Ms Stratton laughed that she had gone home.
After Downing St officials suggested she pass it off as just “cheese and wine” Ms Stratton used the line that it was a business meeting – and it was not socially distanced.”
No10 still deny that a party took place despite the video appearing to confirm a gathering took place at the height of Tier 3 Covid rules in London.
The PM told MPs today he “shared the anger” of millions of people upon seeing that video and stressed “I was also furious to see that clip.”
More to follow…
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