COMMONS leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has poked fun at the ongoing row over Christmas parties reportedly taking place in Number 10 last year despite Covid restrictions prohibiting gatherings.
Downing Street has insisted that “there was not a party” after the Daily Mirror reported that two events took place in Number 10 during the festive season – with one involving Boris Johnson presenting a speech at a leaving do.
Another was alleged to be a staff party, where games were played and food and drinks were served.
The Metropolitan Police has said it is “aware of widespread reporting” of the alleged breaches but insisted it is not its policy to “routinely investigate retrospective breaches” of coronavirus rules. Despite that, the force said it would “consider” complaints received from two Labour MPs.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson 'taking people for mugs' in row over No 10 Christmas parties
Court records show that police were prosecuting a 36-year-old man for holding a gathering of two or more people in east London on December 18 – the same day as the second Downing Street event was reportedly held.
Many others are being prosecuted for allegedly breaching the stricter Tier 4 rules brought in later.
Speaking at a Christmas party for the right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg made a jibe about police looking into parties. Guido published a video of the Tory addressing the audience.
“I see we’re all here obeying regulations, aren’t we?” he asked the crowd. “And this party is not going to be investigated by the police in a year’s time.
“You are all very carefully socially distanced – we have moved, I am pleased to tell you, back to the Imperial system: I notice you are all two inches away from each other which is, as I understand it, what regulations require.”
Social media commenters noted that it seemed Rees-Mogg and other senior Tories are “laughing at us”.
Meanwhile on Monday Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he was not invited to a party at Downing Street.
Speaking at the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday, Jack said: “I’m very confident that I wasn’t at any Christmas parties at Number 10.
“I wasn’t there, I can assure you that I wasn’t there.”
The Scottish Secretary went on to say he was “confident” in his response because he “wasn’t asked to any”.
Jack also gave assurances that any events run by the Scotland Office during coronavirus were “entirely within the rules” in place at the time.
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