DESPITE protestations to the contrary, Boris Johnson did say that he would “let the bodies pile high in their thousands”, Robert Peston has alleged.

The ITV News political editor made the claims on his channel’s news blog on Monday.

He said that two separate people had corroborated the claims made in the Daily Mail to him.

Peston said that neither of these two people had spoken to that newspaper, suggesting there are at least three sources who allegedly heard Johnson make the comment.

READ MORE: SNP demand Boris Johnson's resignation over 'let the bodies pile high' remark

The Daily Mail story makes reference to “those who heard" the comment and often refers to sources in the plural, suggesting as many as four people may be in agreement and in opposition to Downing Street’s denial.

The Prime Minister is alleged to have been frustrated at having had to order a second lockdown, having been pressured into it by other top Tories.

He reportedly shouted: “No more f***ing lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands.”

The National: STORY: BBC journalist Robert Peston broke the news of the troubles at Northern Rock

Writing on ITV's news blog, Peston (above) said: “I am told [Johnson] shouted it in his study just after he agreed to the second lockdown ‘in a rage’. The doors to the Cabinet room and outer office were allegedly open and supposedly a number of people heard.

“I am bothering to repeat this assertion about what the Prime Minister said because two eyewitnesses - or perhaps I should say ‘ear witnesses’ - have corroborated the Daily Mail's account to me.

“Also these sources insist they did not brief the Mail, so that suggests there are three sources.”

The ITV political editor goes on to claim that the “chatty rat” who leaked information of a new lockdown at the end of October 2020 was not Dominic Cummings. He says he is sure that the Cabinet Secretary is aware of this.

Peston also published the message he received on October 30 telling him of an impedning lockdown. It read: "I understand that a long Covid meeting between PM, Chancellor, Gove and Hancock was held this afternoon. 99% likely there will be a full national lockdown from next Wed or Thurs, currently expected to last until 1 Dec."

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon 'shocked' over PM's 'let bodies pile high' reported claim

Asked about the Prime Minister’s comment today, Nicola Sturgeon said: "I feel a combination of being shocked, profoundly shocked at any suggestion that was said, but also, on some level, not being that surprised.

"I don't know if he said it because I wasn't there, but based on my experiences of him I don't find it impossible to believe.

"On the contrary, it is all too believable."

Asked if he made the comments, Johnson told reporters: “No, but I think the important thing I think people want us to get on and do as a Government is to make sure that the lockdowns work.

“They have, and I really pay tribute to the people of this country, this whole country of ours, really pulled together and, working with the vaccination programme, we have got the disease under control.”