Downing Street: No plans for a Christmas party this year

There are no plans for a Christmas party in Boris Johnson's Downing Street office this year as the government is focused on tackling the spread of Covid-19, the Prime Minister's spokesman said on Friday.

Johnson has faced a barrage of criticism since a video emerged showing his staff laughing and joking about a Downing Street party during a 2020 Christmas lockdown when such festivities were banned.

The spokesman also said the prime minister had full confidence in his director of communications, Jack Doyle, after media reported he made a speech and handed out awards as part of a joke ceremony at an alleged party on December 18 last year.

Downing Street said it was up to individual businesses to decide whether Christmas parties should go ahead.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We do not think there is a need to cancel people coming together in hospitality venues like that.”

Asked whether it was therefore the wrong message for the Chancellor to cancel Christmas drinks, he said: “It’s down to individual businesses and indeed departments to make a decision on what’s right.

“We’re simply saying as a matter of fact there’s nothing in the guidance or the regulation that requires individuals to do so. We want people to keep using hospitality. We know that’s important, and we’re confident people will.”

No 10 previously said it was the intention to have a festive bash this year.

But asked on Friday, the spokesman said: “I think we’ve made clear since the latest situation with Omicron, obviously that’s taking up great deal of time at the moment.

“There’s no plans for that in No 10.”

Asked when the decision was taken, the spokesman said: “Following the decision on Plan B and the latest data that we’ve got.”