because downing street— to say about this. because downing street tine — to say about this.senses video came out, simply saying there were no parties. — came out, simply saying there were no parties, covid regulations were followed _ no parties, covid regulations were followed at every time. but i think that flies— followed at every time. but i think that flies in the face of the fact that flies in the face of the fact that you — that flies in the face of the fact that you got is video video of not but multiple very senior downing street— but multiple very senior downing street aides who are making jokes about— street aides who are making jokes about the — street aides who are making jokes about the fact that they were parties — about the fact that they were parties and that covid rules were followed — parties and that covid rules were followed at all ties yes, it's embarrassing but it's pretty serious _ embarrassing but it's pretty serious. of course all of this is about— serious. of course all of this is about the _ serious. of course all of this is about the downing stree

., , ., ~ ., redecoration of the downing street flat? ., ~ ., ., flat? w that i paid for downing _ flat? you should know that i paid for downing street _ flat? you should know that i paid| for downing street refurbishment personally, mr speaker. yet for downing street refurbishment personally, mr speaker.- personally, mr speaker. yet the tories have _ personally, mr speaker. yet the tories have been _ personally, mr speaker. yet the tories have been fined - personally, mr speaker. yet the l tories have been fined thousands personally, mr speaker. yet the - tories have been fined thousands for breaking spending rules after a wealthy businessman tried to set up a special trust to pay for doing up the flat. the real tangle is whether borisjohnson has been straight about what happened. he told a previous investigation he hadn't known exactly where the cash came from until february this year. but today's report showed he sent a wealthy donor a whatsapp about the cash several months before. downing street defence? it suggested he knew this wealthy donor was ove

will the law set in downing street. will the prime — the law set in downing street.verything the government knows about _ everything the government knows about parties in downing street to the metropolitan police? gf about parties in downing street to the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that _ the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and _ the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and we _ the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and we will- the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and we will get i the metropolitan police? of course, we will do that and we will get on i we will do that and we will get on with the investigation by the cabinet secretary and he continually went to play politics with this issue, we want to get on with our job of protecting this country during the pandemic and delivering the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, fighting the drugs gangs, the party opposite to criminalise class a drugs and backing our borders bill. they have an opportunity to focus on that tonight is not why not back ou

how has downing street _ downing street at the moment.tself. downing street at the moment. how has downing street allowed itself to| has downing street allowed itself to be coming _ has downing street allowed itself to be coming under— has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire _ has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on— has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on so- has downing street allowed itself to be coming under fire on so many. be coming under fire on so many different— be coming under fire on so many different fronts— be coming under fire on so many different fronts such _ be coming under fire on so many different fronts such as - be coming under fire on so many different fronts such as the - different fronts such as the rebellion _ different fronts such as the rebellion we _ different fronts such as the rebellion we are _ different fronts such as the rebellion we are expectingl different fronts such as the - rebellion we are expecting next week? — rebellion we are expecting ne

was it technically a party in downing street or not? | party in downing street or not? in downing street or not? either way, it has left the government with an almighty hangover. tim muffet, bbc news. i'm joined now byjean adamson, part of the covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice group. herfather aldrick died of covid in april last year. lam very i am very sorry to hear of your family's loss. given the video we have seen emerge in the last 2a hours and the prime minister's response today, what is your response today, what is your response today, what is your response to what the government is saying? mt; response to what the government is sa int? y , , ., saying? my response is that i feel utterly second _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what i _ saying? my response is that i feel utterly second by what i have - saying? my response is that i feel| utterly second by what i have seen and by what i have heard these last 24—hour is. it is

[it is. gone on in downing street. it is something _ gone on in downing street.ning street. it is something i will— gone on in downing street. something i will never gone on in downing street. iii, it something i will never get gone on in downing street.- something i will never get over. that was jane, who lost her father and her sister. that was jane, who lost her father and her sister.— and her sister. when i saw that video, it sickened _ and her sister. when i saw that video, it sickened me, - and her sister. when i saw that video, it sickened me, i- and her sister. when i saw that video, it sickened me, i was. video, it sickened me, iwas disgusted by it. thinking how can they laugh when so many people are going through so much heartache and pain? ifind it very hard to swallow, to take instruction from the government, especially after this. you know, it leaves me not trusting them. ifeel this. you know, it leaves me not trusting them. i feel that it has been lie after lie, this has been the nail in the coffin. it is been lie after lie, this has been the nail i

downing street's defence?ed he knew this wealthy donor was overseeing the money but not that he was directly providing the cash himself. �* ., , was directly providing the cash himself. 1, _ ., ,., was directly providing the cash himself. _ ., , was directly providing the cash himself. , himself. boris johnson is taking the british public for _ himself. boris johnson is taking the british public for falls. he _ himself. boris johnson is taking the british public for falls. he is not - british public forfalls. he is not only broken the law but made a mockery of the standards we expect. and even though there has been tears and a resignation, numberten and even though there has been tears and a resignation, number ten has hardly recovered from denials and non—denials about parties under its roof. non-denials about parties under its roof. �* , , and non-denials about parties under its roof._ and tonight| roof. i'm truly sorry... and tonight confirmation _ roof. i'm truly sorry... and tonight confirmation that _ ro

tonight, a downing street spokesperson said "work meetings often take place in the downing street garden lovely to see you both. lizzie, you will kick us off with the front page of the guardian and it is that picture, the headlinejohnson and starve seen at number 10 event during lockdown.— starve seen at number 10 event during lockdown. yes, another day, another allegation _ during lockdown. yes, another day, another allegation of _ during lockdown. yes, another day, another allegation of potential - during lockdown. yes, another day, another allegation of potential rule | another allegation of potential rule breaking levelled against members of the government. this is one of a number of claims that people in westminster and downing street were holding social gatherings, parties, that sort of thing, during the lockdown is last year. this particular picture that the guardian is running tonight is, they say, of the downing street garden on the 15th of may, 2020, so during the first of the coronavirus lockdowns. the paper says that it was taken on the evening just after that then health sec

downing street officials didn't a ear auo. . �* , �* downing street officials didn't a earauo. . fl �*, ben. that's the concern. _ year ago. that's right, ben. that's the concern. i _ year ago. that's right, ben. that's the concern, i think. _ year ago. that's right, ben. that's the concern, i think. certainly - year ago. that's right, ben. that'sl the concern, i think. certainly what borisjohnson is saying at the press conference has effectively whether he is trusted or not for me he was putting his trust in the british people to do the right thing. the chief scientific adviser sir patrick ballin said much the same. while that press conference is taking place, a debate was taking place simultaneously in the house of commons on the new measures. sajid javid the health secretary was giving a pretty hard time from some of his own backbenchers. so the question you played was also pledged effectively by the former cheap wit who is saying, you know coming for rules when followed up our christmas parties, why should anyone be following the new rules, the new restrictions now? some people wer

and with us being — downing street. yes, absolutely. and with us being i _ downing street.ng street. yes, absolutely. and with us being i did a little _ downing street. yes, absolutely. and with us being i did a little tally - with us being i did a little tally and i_ with us being i did a little tally and i think there is six alleged gatherings or parties that have been reported _ gatherings or parties that have been reported in— gatherings or parties that have been reported in november or december. they are _ reported in november or december. they are stacking up because we don't _ they are stacking up because we don't know if they all did or did not take — don't know if they all did or did not take place. some of being admitted to, some happen. it does seem _ admitted to, some happen. it does seem to _ admitted to, some happen. it does seem to a — admitted to, some happen. it does seem to a pattern forming. and yes, this one _ seem to a pattern forming. and yes, this one that's on the front of the times— this one that's on the front of the times at— this one that's on th

so, downing street said there was no christmas party again. what now? t said there was no christmas party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line — party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to be - party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to be able - that that line is going to be able to hold because there are such disquiet about this, not just the opposition parties of course jumping at the opportunity to turn up and crank up the pressure on boris johnson over this again, but also inside his own party on his own back benches behind him, when he will be at prime minister's questions tomorrow, there are many people i have spoken to tonight who are really furious at what has happened, and one whitehall source identified several reasons, all of which make this very difficult for boris johnson indeed. first they suggest that it looks hy

on the today of the downing street -- on the day of the downing street party, trisha -- [inaudible] was breathless and feverish. you might want to listen are. trisha followed the rules and didn't visit her mom. listening? four days later, on the day the prime minister's staff laughed about covering up the party, trisha's mom was admitted to hospital. trisha followed the rules and didn't visit. trisha's mom spent christmas day in hospital. trisha followed the rules and didn't visit. two days later trish shah's mom died. trisha's mom died. what trishs wants to know is this: why did the prime minister allow the downing street party but didn't allow her to visit her dying mother in. >> mr. speaker, the first thing to say in common with everybody in this house, i send my shies to the family -- sympathies to the family of trisha, and of course i understand trisha and her family, and i understand the pain of everybody who's suffered throughout this pandemic. and i know that the implication that he is trying to draw, the case that we are now investigating somehow should undermine public confide

downing street's defence?t that he was directly providing the cash himself. borisjohnson is taking the british public forfalls. borisjohnson is taking the british public forfools. he is not only broken the law but made a mockery of the standards we expect. and even though there has been tears and a resignation, number ten has hardly recovered from denials and non—denials about parties under its roof. i'm truly sorry... and tonight confirmation that the director of communications in downing street, jack doyle, attended and made a speech at the gathering on the 18th of december, to thank as many as 30 staff who were present. he is the man who has been in charge of denying there was a party. now we know he was at the event, just one of three under investigation. a formal investigation catch up with what really happened? not one, not two, but three. what the government is still calling gatherings. are gathering at number ten downing street on the 27th of november 2020, a gathering at the department for education o

downing street's defence?this wealthy donor was overseeing the money, but not that he was directly providing the cash himself. boris johnson's taking the british public forfools. he's not only broken the law, but made a mockery of the standards we expect. and even though there's been tears and a resignation, number ten's hardly recovered from denials and non—denials about parties under its roof. i'm truly sorry... and tonight, confirmation that the director of communications in downing street, jack doyle, attended and made a speech at the gathering on december 18 to thank as many as 30 staff who were present. he's the man who's been in charge of denying there was a party. now, we know he was at the event, just one of three under investigation. thank you very much, mr speaker. willa formal investigation catch up with what really happened? not one, not two, but three what the government is still calling gatherings. a gathering at number ten downing street on november 27, 2020, a gathering at the department for e

let know what is going on in downing street. . r' know what is going on in downing street. ., , ., .,he rime street. let me ask you again, if the prime minister— street. let me ask you again, if the prime minister does _ street. let me ask you again, if the prime minister does say _ street. let me ask you again, if the prime minister does say at - street. let me ask you again, if the l prime minister does say at lunchtime there was no christmas party, you will believe him? if there was no christmas party, you will believe him?— there was no christmas party, you will believe him? if he says that on the record at _ will believe him? if he says that on the record at the _ will believe him? if he says that on the record at the dispatch - will believe him? if he says that on the record at the dispatch box, - will believe him? if he says that on| the record at the dispatch box, yes, i will have to believe him. because to do otherwise would be discourteous and wrong of me. and if it is then found that he has misled parliament deliberately, that is a hanging offence.— parliament deliberately,

. that the parties were held in time -- downing street.— -- downing street.me again, we have seen this repeat that there are lies l seen this repeat that there are lies being told to the public. there�*s been lawbreaking. we have seen this government came to the house of commons and say they are willing to break into national law. when we are looking at the omicron variant, people are looking for a leadership year and what they are seeing is one rule for one set of people and another rule for others. this is not the way in this public health emergency. the fact is, there has been a breach of the rules here. it�*s quite evident that that is the case. it's quite evident that that is the case. �* :. . it's quite evident that that is the case. �* . , , :, . it's quite evident that that is the case. �* . , . ., case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry. _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could you _ case. but what is your evidence for that? sorry, could you repeat- case. but what is you

he apologised for any offence caused by the video, but denied anyone in downing street had broken anyhare the anger up and down the country at seeing number 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and 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, mr speaker, because i was also furious to see that clip. and, mr speaker, i apologise... ..i apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down country, and i apologise for the impression that it gives. but i repeat, mr speaker, that i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covid—19 rules were broken, and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. but i have asked the cabinet secretary to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible. and, mr speaker, it goes without saying that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved. the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, said the prime minister has be

who worked in | downing street with him who trusted and could _ downing street with him who trusted andut of things, and one by one, they have gradually gone. this is— by one, they have gradually gone. this is a _ by one, they have gradually gone. this is a refrain that you hear guite — this is a refrain that you hear quite a — this is a refrain that you hear quite a lot— this is a refrain that you hear quite a lot from conservative mps, when _ quite a lot from conservative mps, when they— quite a lot from conservative mps, when they wanted to criticise boris johnson _ when they wanted to criticise boris johnson they would say things he is getting _ johnson they would say things he is getting the wrong advice, the old phrase, _ getting the wrong advice, the old phrase, desire is good but the advisers — phrase, desire is good but the advisers are wicked. and i think that's— advisers are wicked. and i think that's actually starting to change, particularly since the on patterson scandal. _ particularly since the on patterson scandal, that mps are starting to say to— scandal, that mps are s

downing street's defence?ted he knew this wealthy donor was overseeing the money, but not that he was directly providing the cash himself. boris johnson's taking the british public forfools. he's not only broken the law but made a mockery of the standards we expect. and even though there's been tears — and a resignation — number 10's hardly recovered from denials about parties under its roof. i am truly sorry. was there a party in downing street? are you planning to resign? other staff caughtjoking about what happened are still trying to move fast enough to hang on. willa formal investigation catch up with what really happened at not one, not two, but three of what the government is still calling gatherings? a gathering at number 10 downing street on 27 november 2020, a gathering at the department for education on 10th december 2020 and allegations made of a gathering at number 10 downing street on the 18th december 2020. but it is the emptying of offices next week, the return of tighter covid restrictions, va

an investigation into rule breaking at chrimas parties said to be held at downing street last christmaservatives being fined for breaking campaign finance rules over the refurbishment of his plant, and covid rules adding to pressure. also, senior u.k. lawyers investigating china's treatment of its uyghur majority. the unofficial tribunal finds the chinese state carried out genocide. >> the tribunal is satisfied they occurred as a direct result of policies and speeches promoted by president xi and others. ros: the world health organization morning wealthy countries against hoarding coronavirus vaccines is the omicron variant continues to spread. ♪ pressure on prime minister boris johnson is coming from several directions. first, the christmas party at downing street a year ago, or possibly parties, which would have broken covid eyed lines. a government investigation launched mr. johnson is being expanded to include two more events. its initial scope was the party at downing street on december 18 last year when officials enjoyed, one source told bbc, drinks, giggles and games. theestigati

in as ou are way downing street operates? in as you are looking — way downing street operates?t's a really good point. i rememberwhen far, i think that's a really good point. i remember when we broke the dominant cummings scoop, about 45 tory mps called for dominic cummings to quit in the pre—minister stood by him. and subsequently over the following months, lots of people in government admitted they probably hadn't handled the whole affair, the fallout from the affair as well as they should've done and they've learned their lessons to make sure they don't get that in that position again. let's see over the coming days — i've spoken to several tory mps were already starting to get letters and e—mails from angry constituents. because ultimately this comes down to people and the rest of the country, not what's going on here and whether boris johnson is up or down within his own party. for many people particularly at this time of year, it brings back all the difficult decisions they had to make last year, the bad memories, reopening wounds and the fact that they weren't able to sp

downing street said there was no party. then itv showed this. there was a downing _ party.ing street christmas party on friday? l— was a downing street christmas party on frida ? s, was a downing street christmas party on friday?_ a _ was a downing street christmas party on friday?_ a mock - was a downing street christmas party| on friday?_ a mock press on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where _ on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where the _ on friday? i went home. a mock press conference where the prime _ conference where the prime minister's beneficial spokesperson, allegra stratton and other aids appeared to joke about a party coincidently on the same date. this fictional party _ coincidently on the same date. try s fictional party was a business meeting. it was not socially distanced.— meeting. it was not socially distanced. ,, , , , meeting. it was not socially distanced. . , , , m distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed _ distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to _ distanced. she swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to m

they don't understand is this case for prince william and coming to downing street with some experiencewe need to investigate. why he didn't immediately say, i don't think i'll be a good look because you gave me the job. be a good look because you gave me thejob. but then be a good look because you gave me the job. but then when he was asked it as the parties they supposedly had last year, he should've said that that was not a good idea either because i happen to know that there was wine out of my personal office and it was in my digital diary store this christmas. it is not going to be a good look, but it some of us to do your cover up but it some of us to do your cover up for you, but it some of us to do your cover upforyou, sir. but but it some of us to do your cover up for you, sir. but he did not do either of those things. in the last week, this is been going on for three weeks now. last week for the cabinet office itself had some parties, all of the journalists said to downing street, are you sure you want simon to do this? is he definitely in the clear, you 100% on that. downing

there is a question there downing downing street— question there downing downing street say is obligateds, this will— habit of losing standard advisers, this will be the second. the first one quit — this will be the second. the first one quit over their priti patel bullying _ one quit over their priti patel bullying allegations and the fact that they were virtually no sanctions on her whatsoever. 211 standard — sanctions on her whatsoever. 211 standard advisers a tragedy, to lose two is _ standard advisers a tragedy, to lose two is callousness, may be. it does seem _ two is callousness, may be. it does seem as _ two is callousness, may be. it does seem as with the downing street party, _ seem as with the downing street party, it's— seem as with the downing street party, it's getting caught in a tied. — party, it's getting caught in a tied. it's _ party, it's getting caught in a lied, it's getting caught and saying there _ lied, it's getting caught and saying there definitely wasn't a party, they— there definitely wasn't a party, they categorically was it, hang on, there _ they categorica

the _ downing street today. who will pay the fine? the tory _ downing street today.owning street today. who will pay the fine? the tory party, i - downing street today. who will pay. the fine? the tory party, i presume. the are the fine? the tory party, i presume. they are the — the fine? the tory party, i presume. they are the ones _ the fine? the tory party, i presume. they are the ones who _ the fine? the tory party, i presume. they are the ones who were - the fine? the tory party, i presume. they are the ones who were found i the fine? the tory party, i presume. | they are the ones who were found to have breached the rules. it is a fine on the conservative party and they will have to pay. this is just another pressure point, now, on number ten to explain itself and exactly why it went down this route of asking for a loan and why it didn't declare it properly back at the end of 2020 as it tried to fill a whole, that they presume would be met by a new trust that the government hoped to set up to cover the costs. when it was established that trust couldn't be create

to translate, if there were l parties in downing street, someone should _ parties in downing street,ister pay a price if he knew about it?— prime minister pay a price if he knew about it? i'm here to speak about the uighur _ knew about it? i'm here to speak about the uighur muslim - knew about it? i'm here to speak| about the uighur muslim tribunal. it's quite important considering you are a _ it's quite important considering you are a conservative mp. this is why the investigation will be key. well let's take a closer look at the controversy around the prime minister's flat refurbishment. labour has accused borisjohnson of taking the british public "for fools" after an official report by the electoral commission found he had asked a conservative party donor to authorise the refurbishment of his downing street flat in november last year — contradicting a previous account from the pm. the electoral commission's report on the flat refurbishment says: well, in response, a conservative spokesman said it was a "technical breach" of the law and the party was considering appealing the rulin

[it is. gone on in downing street. it is something _ gone on in downing street.ing street. something i would never ever gone on in downing street.- something i would never ever get over. ,, something i would never ever get over. , w something i would never ever get over. ,, .,, ., ., over. she lost her father and her sister. when _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i— over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw the _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw the video, it i sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me — sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and _ sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and as _ sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and as discussed l sister. when i saw the video, it | sickened me and as discussed in thinking, how can a laugh and so many people are going through so much heart ache and pain. i'm finding it very hard to swallow, to take instruction from the government, especially after this. this is a miserable and dangerous mo

i've just seen reports on twitter that there was a downing street christmas party last friday night.ing in response to questions from an adviser, ed oldfield, about the downing street drinks. what�*s the answer? i don't know! is cheese and wine ok! at the time when socialising for everyone was meant to be strictly off—limits. this fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially distanced! the fictional party was a business meeting, she says, laughing about the office that was making the rules, not following them. in the real world outside numberio, pubs had been closed, socialising was strictly off—limits as covid took hold again. lockdown was back. there were fines for holding parties. and on that day, 562 people lost their lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem for boris johnson 12 months on was notjust that a few dozen of his staff got together, nor the laughter about it now revealed, but that all week he hasn�*t been straight about exactly what went on. last wednesday at prime minister�*s questions, a notable non—denial. all guidance was followed complet

was the party downing street was much _ was the party downing street was much are — was the party downinge party downing street was much are you planning _ was the party downing street was much are you planning to - was the party downing street was much are you planning to resign? | much are you planning to resign? other_ much are you planning to resign? other staff— much are you planning to resign? other staff caught— much are you planning to resign? other staff caught joking - much are you planning to resign? other staff caught joking about i much are you planning to resign? i other staff caught joking about what other staff caughtjoking about what happened are still trying to move fast enough to continue on. the formal investigation catch is that with what really happened but not one, not two but three of what the government is still calling gatherings. government is still calling gatherin95-_ government is still calling gatherings. government is still calling unatherins. ., ., , gatherings. the gathering a number ten downing — gatherings. the gathering a number ten downing st _ gather

it sounds like the event was organised by downing street staff for staff.esumably it is that kind of person that has reassured borisjohnson about what actually occurred on that evening. the prime minister has said that if it turns out there's people did break the rules, they will be disciplined, just as we have seen conservative party stuff disciplined over that other party that i was referring to, a minute ago. in terms of allegra stratton's resignation, i think the reason she resigned is because of how she appeared in that video. and the tone and the laughter around a subject that was very serious and saw people with their livelihoods and lives are being threatened at the time. it was the disconnect between the seriousness of what was going on and the jokey nurse of her persona at that point. she was behaving in completely the opposite way, yesterday, when she made her very tearful resignation statement. i don't remember a political figure statement. i don't remember a politicalfigure being statement. i don't remember a political figure being that publicl

the downing street flat refurbishment made a return.rly declare the initial donation. events from last christmas were about to cause an almighty hangover too, with allegations of covid rule—breaking parties and quizzes. the prime minister said no rules were broken. downing street said there was no party. then itv showed this... i've seen reports on twitter- that there was a downing street christmas party on friday? do you recognise those reports? i went home. a mock press conference where the prime minister's then official spokesperson, allegra stratton and other aides appeared to joke about a party coincidentally on the same date. this fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially distanced. miss stratton swiftly resigned. my remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. that was never my intention. i will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i offer my profound apologies to all of you at home. claims of more potentially rule—breaking gatherings came out. i und

yes, this is comments from professor chris whitty, chief medical officer yesterday at downing street johnson and when slightly further than government advice. he suggested that people might want to think about cutting down on unnecessary socialising and mixing with other households in the run—up to christmas. there is a concern from tory mps that has spooked the public. the worry is that businesses like pubs and restaurants who have had a really miserable last two years are going to see even more people cancelling their bookings and what is a really important time for them. you've just got to feel for these pubs and restaurants, remember last year, my ipod, spent all this money in a murky outside so that people could mix outdoors and didn't have to go indoors and they got shut down in the run—up to christmas. it seems we are having a repeat of that again this year that and restaurants are allowed to open, but people seem so scared of getting her in a virus that people don't seem to be wanting to go out to spend money.— to go out to spend money. rachel, what are your _ to go out to spe

when did you first hear that there had been a christmas party in downing street?l, i actually first heard rumours way back injanuary but they were just that. and i wasn't able to substantiate, i tried my best but didn't manage to get there. and about a month ago i got handed what i would describe as a metaphorical brown paper envelope which contained enough evidence in it for me to start asking questions again. so i then spent several weeks speaking to sources about whether a party had taken place and then once i'd established that it had, speaking to them about who is at it, what was done at the party, secret santa and the festive games and drinks and nibbles and so on. and then we were just really waiting for a moment that would be the right time to publish. so you come back to the story, you start having lots of conversations building on what you first heard about in january. can you pinpoint when you first thought, "my goodness, this is a huge story?". well, last tuesday i was sitting in the number 9 briefing room, the same room in fact that the video that pau

we know this because of a video. >> there was a downing street party on friday night.u recognize this? >> i went home. hold on. >> what the prime minisr condone having a christmas party? >> what's the answer? ros: what the prime minister condone having a christmas party? it was relevant because four days later there was a party in number 10 and since the story broke, we got a chance to see what the prime minister thinks. he took this approach. p.m. johnson: all guidance was followed. ros: the deputy prime minister was asked if the party happened. >> we've got unsubstantiated claims being made and all on the basis of anonymous sources. ros: this was a party in number 10 attended by number 10 staff. checking these claims would not be hard. another minister offered this defense. >> i don't knothat the event took place but no rules were broken. ros: he didn't know if it happened but if it had, it didn't break the rules. he went further on monday, insisting there was not a party, saying it is simply a statement of fact. after the video was released, he said there was no chr

in terms of reaction to the downing street gatherings or parties, what is the public�*s stance on that3% of people thought the parties had let the country down, let the public down. 83% said that they had let people whose loved ones had died from covid down. that is the thought of the nation right now. 81% are saying that it is one rule for the government and one for everybody else and, equally, a slim majority, 54% of people, said borisjohnson should pay the ultimate price and resign over this. the prime minister has had a difficult premiership. ultimately, it is going to be this mismanagement and series of mismanagement and series of mismanagement this side of the vaccine roll—out which will be how he will be remembered over the coming months. it hasn't been a good few months for the prime minister culminating in this number ten christmas party story.- culminating in this number ten christmas party story. have we any indication about _ christmas party story. have we any indication about what _ christmas party story. have we any indication about what effect - christmas party story. ha

it's december 15th last year, inside 10 downing street.ng a round of a staff christmas quiz. two colleagues are either side of him, one with tinsel wrapped around him. some staff took part virtually from home. others from around the building. a number ten spokesman told the bbc: the bbc had already reported that invites for the quiz were sent out in advance via email, and many people wore christmas jumpers for the day. one source said people didn't seem to realise how ridiculous it was at the time. labour's deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being happy to preside over a culture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off, to deny reports of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was banned a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. our political correspondent helen cattjoins me now. it helen cattjoins me

at six — christmas parties, downing street renovations and england's plan b. flat refurbishments were paid for, as the conservative party is fined almost £18,000. what we need now is a bit of grip from no 10. it's no good having these stories dragged out by the media. the government needs to make a clean breast of it, get everything out into the open, transparency is always the best policy. also on the programme tonight... england's plan b covid restrictions in the run—up to christmas — hospitality businesses fear a collapse in demand at their busiest time of year. the impact of covid continues — the number of people now waiting

many are also angry about how downing street - that passports.about how downing street has - that passports. many are also angry i about how downing street has handled recent events, including the alleged party held on the 18th of december last year. yesterday allegra stratton, a number ten aide, shown in a videojoking stratton, a number ten aide, shown in a video joking about a christmas party, resigned. l in a video joking about a christmas party. resigned-— party, resigned. iwill regret those remarks for— party, resigned. iwill regret those remarks for the _ party, resigned. i will regret those remarks for the rest _ party, resigned. iwill regret those remarks for the rest of _ party, resigned. iwill regret those remarks for the rest of my - party, resigned. iwill regret those remarks for the rest of my days i party, resigned. i will regret thosel remarks for the rest of my days and my profound apologies to all the time. , ., ., time. others in the video remain in their “obs time. others in the video remain in theirjobs as _ time. others in th

laura kuenssberg, bbc news, downing street.r such a huge political upset in north shropshire — and how much can we read into the result? 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has been out speaking to voters in the constituency. as the sun came up, north shropshire awoke to a new political landscape. liberal democrats, 17,957. cheering and applause. this solid tory turf had been shaken. by mid—morning, the lib dems victor had arrived to much fanfare. they threw everything at this, pitching themselves as the challengers, which paid off and as they celebrated, onlookers contemplated what had happened and why. i am not a big fan of borisjohnson. he has disappointed all of us. not everyone was thrilled that the conservatives had lost. it is very sad when you think that they have held it for 200 years. i but for others, it was a moment to mark. why did you vote for them? to get boris out. why? just all the parties and everything that they have been having. because i lost a sister through covid. there is clear anger here at recent

i am downing street take this less than seriously. lam it downing street take this less than seriously it sickens myself and furious _ seriously. i am it sickens myself and furious about that. we will hear about another christmas party in norway that led to the biggest omicron outbreak in europe, and from south africa where scientists have spent the last two weeks testing the vaccines against this new variant. good evening. borisjohnson has moved england to plan b in an effort to stop the spread of the omicron variant. from monday people will be encouraged to work from home wherever possible. but more immediately — from friday — facemasks will have be worn in most public indoor venues. that includes theatres, cinemas, and restaurants. and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, and deaths. in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that's why it's now the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to plan b in

downing street still haunting downin: street? �* , downing street still haunting downin~street?wning street? a very good way of putting it- we _ downing street? a very good way of putting it. we have _ downing street? a very good way of putting it. we have been _ downing street? a very good way of putting it. we have been talking - putting it. we have been talking about what may or may not have happened in downing street in november and december last year, when you will remember that england and london were at various points under quite strict covid per restrictions. the mirror newspaper has been reporting for two days now on what it describes as boozy bashes in number ten downing st to stop the bbc has spoken to a source that was at downing street in december who said at least on one occasion there was booze, there was food and there were party games and it went on until past midnight. the government is sticking to this line and has reiterated it again today and the prime minister said it at prime ministers questions yesterday that at all points in that place the rules were fol

downing street throws parties during a lockdown, he says not our problem. he promised there'd be no track rises, hebb -- tax rises, then he put up tax. he promised ld be a rail revolution in the north. he promised no one would have to sell their home for care. he promised 40 new hospitals, and even if you count paint jobs jobs -- [inaudible] isn't in the truth, mr. speaker, that any promises from this prime minister aren't written the manifesto patient they're written on. [inaudible conversations] >> mr. speaker, mr. speaker the right honorable gentleman drivels on, drivels oner or relevantly -- [inaudible] playing politics. and, by way, on that i'm told that -- the. [inaudible] for the future was told -- [inaudible] she denounced it as an idiot you can, childish and pathetic, mr. speaker. they're getting on with, they're getting on with factional in-fight, we are delivering for the people of this country. today cutting tax for the lowest paid people in this country as a result of our universal d. [inaudible] 1.9 million families getting a thousand pounds m

political direction of the government's chris whitty response up have to reset the roma itself, downing streetap that down, but of course you could argue that the damage has been done. and there is constantly this tension between the chief medical officer and other scientists providing advice and analyse the situation and giving context of what is unfolding with 0micron camilla we do but knowing what we don't know and what would be sensible option for containing the virus given what we know. and then there is a cohort of politicians in this government who don't want it. they are libertarians and they have consistently refused various measures to do with lockdowns committee with precautions, so there is constantly this tension between the conservative government and its scientific advisers. and i think borisjohnson has his authority weakening for various reasons according to the curse of party we look at shortly and he becomes more dependent on not antagonizing this sort of libertarian cohort and his party that is actually derailing precautionary measures the prime minister is getting from scie