Boris Johnson apologises for Downing Street video but says there was no party
The Prime Minister's been talking in Parliament
Last updated 27th May 2022
Boris Johnson has apologised for offence caused by a video from last year which apparently shows Downing Street staff joking about having a Christmas party.
The Prime Minister has been speaking in parliament and said he has ordered an investigation into claims Downing Street staff broke lockdown rules by holding a Christmas party last year.
At Prime Minister questions he told MPs he was “furious” about footage which apparently showing aides joking about the party.
The Prime Minister apologised “unreservedly” for the offence caused by the footage of his then-spokeswoman Allegra Stratton at a mock press conference.
But he insisted that he had been repeatedly assured that “there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken”.
Mr Johnson said he had asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case “to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible – and it goes without saying that if those rules were broken then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing No 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures, and I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules because I was also furious to see that clip.
“I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and I apologise for the impression that it gives.
“But I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken, and that is what I have been repeatedly assured.”
Arguments in parliament
The Prime Minister insisted “disciplinary action” would be taken against staff for a Christmas party last year if needed, as he face accusations of being caught “red-handed”.
Labour Leader Keir Starmer said: “An internal investigation into what happened – the situation is as clear as day. I thought last week was bad enough.
“Surely the Prime Minister hasn’t now going to start pretending that the first he knew about this was last night? Surely we have all watched the video of the Prime Minister’s staff including his personal spokesperson.
“They knew there was a party, they knew it was against the rules, they knew they couldn’t admit it, and they thought it was funny.
“It is obvious was happened. Ant and Dec are ahead of the Prime Minister on this. The Prime Minister has been caught red-handed. Why doesn’t he end the investigation right now by just admitting it?”
Boris Johnson said: “Because I have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken. I understand public anxiety about this… but there is a risk of doing a grave injustice to people who have frankly obeyed the rules.
“That is why the Cabinet Secretary will be conducting an investigation, and that is why there will be requisite disciplinary action if necessary.”
Covid-19 timeline
December 2019
The first case of Covid-19 was discovered in Wuhan, China and reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2019.
January 2020
Chinese state media reported the first known death from Covid-19 on 11 January 2020. The city of Wuhan was closed off by Chinese authorities on 23 January 2020, cancelling all transport entering and leaving the city. In January, the WHO also declared Covid-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
February 2020
February was when the virus started to receive real global recognition. It was officially named Covid-19 by WHO, and countries around the world started to report cases and deaths. Italy reported Europe's first major outbreak and had to use tents to treat surging numbers of patients as hospitals ran out of room.
March 2020
UK Governments introduced a national lockdown from 23 March 2020, instructing people to "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives", after the UK reported its first official death from Covid-19 on 2 March 2020. Cities around the country appeared deserted. In late March the United States became the worst hit country with the most reported cases at that point.
April 2020
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into intensive care with Covid-19 on 6 April 2020. Worldwide, cases topped one million and deaths passed 200,000. April also saw the first peak of the virus in the UK.
June 2020
England and Scotland made face coverings mandatory on public transport in June, while Northern Ireland and Wales followed suit in July. Face coverings then became mandatory in shops in each nation, with Scotland and England introducing the rule in July, Northern Ireland in August and Wales in September.
September 2020
In September, the official global death toll reached 1 million. However, the official figures are thought to greatly understate the number of people who have actually died from Covid-19. In the US alone, Covid-19 deaths surpassed 200,000.
November 2020
In November, England entered a second lockdown in an attempt to try and curb the spread of the virus.
December 2020
The UK became the first country in the world to approve a vaccine against Covid-19 for use in December. Vaccinations began on 8 December 2020, when 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person outside of a clinical trial to receive the jab. Later on in the month, the UK approved a second vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. However, it wasn't all good news, as a new variant of Covid-19 was also discovered in December, which was much more transmissible than the original strain.
January 2021
In January 2021, the mass vaccine roll out began across the UK. However, all four nations all went back into full lockdown as the UK entered a second wave of the virus, with the peak surpassing that of the first wave in April. The UK also reached the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths.
February 2021
At the height of the third lockdown, the first cases of the South African variant came to dominate diagnosed Covid cases in the UK. February also saw the UK meet its target of administering 10 million first doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Boris Johnson also unveiled the UK's strategy to return to normal life after the pandemic. The country would only come out of lockdown once the vaccines showed a strong effect of fighting the virus. To stop the spread, the Prime Minister also announced new regulations to international travel. Travellers from countries on the government's "red list" would be made to quarantine in hotels at their own expense. It was also revealed that any resumption of non-essential international travel would not happen until May 17th.
March 2021
March saw the one-year anniversary since the first lockdown. However, the country began to cautiously reopen, with the "stay at home" order being formally lifted. The government did, instead, recommend that people "stay local" from March 29th.
People could begin to socialise again with the implementing of the rule of six in outdoor spaces such as parks and gardens. As well as this, gyms and leisure centres were able to open their doors, while schools and colleges could welcome pupils back for the first time in months.
April 2021
Following an increase in vaccinations and the reduction of Covid cases, the Prime Minister confirmed the easing of restrictions on April 12th. The government's move to Step 2 provided the biggest reopening of the economy since the pandemic began, with outdoor venues including pubs and restaurants being given the go ahead. Non-essential retail shops such as hairdressers and clothes shops could also begin to open their doors again. The rule of six in outdoor spaces continued to be enforced.
India was also added to the UK's "red list" after a significant rise in cases following the discovery of the Delta variant.
May 2021
As the economy began to bounce back, further restrictions were eased on May 17th. The number of people allowed to gather rose to 30 people, with the rule of six allowed for indoor spaces for social gatherings. Hospitality venues could also open indoors, following government guidelines.
Mass gatherings were also trialled in May, with up 10,000 people allowed to attend large-scale events like football matches. Non-essential international travel was cautiously permitted, allowing holidaymakers to visit countries on the "green" and "amber" lists.
June 2021
In June, the Delta variant – first discovered in India – became the dominant strain of coronavirus and drove a third wave in infections across the UK.
The big increase in diagnoses delayed the government's final major easing of restrictions, including the scrapping of the rule of six in indoor spaces. All legal restrictions would thus be lifted one month later in July.
July 2021
At the beginning of the month, the government confirmed that cases had sufficiently stabilised to confirm the easing of all remaining restrictions – including the wearing of face masks and social distancing. Boris Johnson announced that following restrictions would become a "personal choice".
July 19th was dubbed "Freedom Day", as the country fully opened up as it had been before the pandemic hit. Fully vaccinated people could now visit nightclubs and large-scale music events such as festivals. Those returning from "amber" list countries after getting two jabs would also no longer need to quarantine.
August 2021
As restrictions across England came to an end, Scotland and Wales chose to delay the full easing of limits until early August. But as children went back to education in Scotland, over 60 schools had confirmed Covid outbreaks, threatening the likelihood of a long-term end to restrictions.
Across the UK, vaccination numbers continued to rise, with 75% of adults in England receiving at least one dose of an approved vaccine. The immunisation effort was also extended to 16 and 17-year-olds to drive full immunity.
September 2021
While the number of confirmed Covid cases worldwide surpassed 7 million, the UK was emerging from the pandemic. The furlough scheme, brought in at the beginning of the pandemic, was formally ended – funding £70 billion of people's wages.
The government also announced its winter plan to prepare for a possible spike in infections. This included booster jabs with priority for the elderly and vulnerable risk groups. 12-15-year-olds also became eligible to receive a first dose.
October 2021
Covid passports came to divide the UK, as Scotland and Wales brought in respective schemes to control the spread of the Delta variant. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced that the NHS would receive an extra £5.9 billion in funding in the Budget.
International travel also returned to normal, with the scrapping of the travel list system. Washington D.C. also revealed that fully vaccinated British travellers could travel to the United States – for the first time in 20 months.
November 2021
As the country continued to come out from the pandemic, booster jabs were made available to those aged 40 and over. But towards the end of November, concerns were raised about a new mutation of the virus that had originated from southern Africa. Cases began to rise across the world as the newly named Omicron variant spread rapidly across the world. Flights were stopped to southern African nations including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Face coverings were also made mandatory once again in shops and on public transport.
December 2021
With the rising threat of Omicron, concern over whether restrictions should be reimposed. The Omicron variant spread across the country, and became the dominant strain of coronavirus being discovered by the middle of December. To combat the mutation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought in the government's 'Plan B', which once again mandated face coverings, as well as the introduction of Covid passes. However, support for the government's plans was at an all time low, with 100 Tory MPs going against the Prime Minister.
January 2022
On the 27th January, Boris Johnson gave the go-ahead to lift the restrictions, from face coverings to being no longer mandatory to NHS Covid-19 Pass becoming voluntary. At the same time, Scotland also eased Omicron restrictions on indoor settings, with social distancing being scrapped in hospitality.
Boris Johnson was in the limelight after alleged gatherings held during the first lockdown. With Number 10 facing a number of questions from the opposition over 'Partygate.
February 2022
The Queen tested positive for Covid-19 in February and experienced mild symptoms, after it was confirmed she had been in direct contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has set out his plans for "living with Covid", indicating that self-isolation would be lifted a month earlier.
March & April 2022
In March, all remaining travel restrictions were lifted for entering the UK. From the 18th of March, Passenger Locator Forms and pre-travel tests to the UK were scrapped, leading to a massive welcoming from the air travel industry. Face coverings would also be gradually phased out on airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. In April is was announced that children between 5 and 11 would be offered a covid-19 vaccine.
May 2022
The Met police investigated reports of gatherings at Downign Street and fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak for attending such events. Boris Johnson apologised in parliament but refused to say much more until the Sue Gray report came out. When that report was finally published it said senior leadership must 'bear responsibility'
June 2022
In the week ending 25 June an estimated 1,829,100 people tested positive for covid in England—around one in 30 people—according to the ONS coronavirus infection survey. A week earlier that rate was one in 40. Experts believe these increased rates were likely driven by the growth of the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.