British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced intense pressure Wednesday after a video emerged of his senior aides joking about holding a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when social gatherings were banned under COVID-19 rules, IgbereTV reports.
The leaked video appears to contradict more than a week of denials by Johnson and his ministers that a party took place, following newspaper reports dozens of staff had attended an evening-long gathering on December 18, 2020.
It is the latest instance of apparent government hypocrisy over restrictions after several previous scandals, including health secretary Matt Hancock resigning in June for breaking coronavirus curbs during an affair with an aide.
“We now know the government broke the rules, they partied and now they’re laughing about it — they’re treating the public with contempt,” Labour party leader Keir Starmer said.
“The prime minister needs to step up, accept what happened, and apologise.”
Johnson, who has repeatedly claimed — including in parliament last week — that all virus guidance has been observed, faces off again later Wednesday against the main opposition leader in the House of Commons for weekly questions.
After the video was leaked to broadcaster ITV News late Tuesday, his office continued to insist no party had taken place
