Starmer reacted to footage shown by ITV News, where an aide appears to be joking about a party that Boris Johnson claims did not happen.
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Labour leader Keir Starmer has hit out at Boris Johnson over claims that a party was held at Downing Street while London was under strict Covid restrictions last year.
Starmer reacted to footage shown by ITV News, where an aide appears to be joking about a party that Boris Johnson claims did not happen.
"People across the country followed the rules, even when that meant being separated from loved ones.
They had a right to expect the government was doing the same. To lie and to laugh about those lies is shameful. We have a Prime Minister who’s socially distanced from the truth."
The footage obtained by ITV News showed Ms Stratton answering questions at a mock press conference on December 22 about a Downing Street Christmas party the previous Friday – the date of the alleged rule-breaking gathering.
Mr Oldfield asked her: “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night, do you recognise those reports?”
Ms Stratton replied “I went home” before appearing to consider what the correct answer should be.
During the rehearsal, filmed as part of a subsequently-abandoned plan for Ms Stratton to lead televised press briefings, Mr Oldfield pressed her for an answer.
“Would the Prime Minister condone having a Christmas party?” he asked.
Ms Stratton asked “what’s the answer” and staff in the press room appeared to suggest ideas, with one saying “it wasn’t a party, it was cheese and wine”.
“Is cheese and wine all right? It was a business meeting,” Ms Stratton replied, to laughter in the room.
Ms Stratton then noted “this is recorded”, adding: “This fictional party was a business meeting … and it was not socially distanced.”
The leaked footage was shot in the media room at 9 Downing Street, which was refurbished at a cost of £2.6 million in preparation for the televised broadcasts before the plan was ditched.
In response to ITV’s report, a Downing Street spokesman said: “There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times.”
Earlier, Mr Johnson declined to repeat the claim from Downing Street that staff did not hold a Christmas party in No 10 during Covid restrictions.
