Boris Johnson was today grilled about a new bombshell image of the Prime Minister next to an open bottle of alcohol during an alleged Downing Street party.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson was hit with a question from Labour MP Fabian Hamilton about a story just published by the Daily Mirror.
Mirror Political Editor Pippa Crerar has produced the latest in a long line of exclusive stories about lockdown-breaking Downing Street Parties with a remarkable image.
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It shows the Prime Minister flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another a Santa hat, at the event on December 15, 2020.
On the desk in front of him - from where he read out quiz questions to teams across the building - is what appears to be champagne and a half-eaten packet of crisps.
Mr Johnson was accused of personally breaking covid laws by hosting the festive event after the Mirror revealed last year that it had taken place.
At the time London was under Tier 2 regulations banning any social mixing between two or more people from different households.
Official guidance also stated: “You must 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.”
Just two days after the Mirror's initial story, the PM said: “I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules."
But the Christmas quiz is not one of the dozen No 10 gatherings under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Reacting to the image in the House of Commons today, Labour MP Fabian Hamilton said: "At the height of the lockdown restrictions in 2020, my constituent, who has worked for the NHS for 30 years, was diagnosed with a tumour on her spine.
"Whilst in hospital undergoing painful surgery, her family obeyed the rules and didn't visit her.
"In the last few minutes, a picture has emerged of the Prime Minister in Downing Street on the 15th December 2020, surrounded by alcohol, food and people wearing tinsel.
"It looks a lot like one of the Christmas parties he told us never happened. So for the sake of my constituent and the sacrifices she made, will the Prime Minister be referring this party to the police?"
Responding, Mr Johnson said: "I am very sorry about his constituent, but in what he has said I'm afraid he is completely in error."
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