Boris Johnson's former spokesman 'apologises unreservedly' for Downing Street leaving party during Covid restrictions

The Prime Minister’s former director of communications James Slack has said he wants to “apologise unreservedly for the anger and hurt caused” by a party held to mark his leaving Downing Street in April 2021, which he said “should not have happened at the time that it did”.

The Telegraph has reported Slack's leaving do was held on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral.

The paper has alleged people were drinking alcohol at both events, and one featured loud music.

This came at a time when social contact was banned for the rest of the country in stage 2 of lockdown.

This comes as pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson amid fresh allegations that two further Downing Street parties were held while coronavirus restrictions were in place, the night before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

The events were held in April last year, while the country was in a period of national mourning, it was reported. The Prime Minister was said to have been away from Downing Street at the time.

The Queen attended the funeral of Philip, her husband of 74 years, wearing a face mark and socially distanced from her family at Windsor Castle in line with Covid restrictions.

Slack added that he could not make any further comment due to the matter being referred to Sue Gray's investigation.