Tory staff filmed drinking, dancing and mocking lockdown rules in first ever Partygate video
Tory staffers are captured drinking and dancing on the video
Mirror
Tory Party staff can be seen dancing and joking about Covid restrictions during the height of the pandemic at a Christmas party.
In the first video of Partygate to emerge so far, one attendee can be heard saying: “As long as we don’t stream that we’re, like, bending the rules,” before laughing while a man and woman hold hands and swing dance.
The pair crash into a buffet table stacked with food and wine glasses at one point, while other guests walk past wearing paper crowns and clutching alcoholic drinks.
At least 24 people were reportedly at the party which took place at Conservative Party headquarters on December 14 2020, when indoor socialising was banned under Tier 2 restrictions.
Scotland Yard launched an investigation after a picture of the gathering emerged, but concluded that the photo by itself was not sufficient evidence to find an offence had been committed.
The force has been contacted for comment over the video, which was obtained by the Sunday Mirror.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove apologised for the “deeply distressing” video.
Mr Gove told the Camilla Tominey Show: “ I just want to say to GB News viewers that I'm personally sorry that people behaved in this way.
“This video shows people behaving in a completely unacceptable way.
"It's a great pity that people behaved in this way. There was a significant curtailment of people's liberty at the time.
“The reason those steps were taken was to reduce the spread of the disease in order to make sure that the pressures on the NHS were manageable in order to make sure that we could treat people who were very ill.
“So again, the actions here are deeply distressing and I could only apologise to people that individuals behaved in this way."
The footage is likely to cause problems for Rishi Sunak, who is already battling to hold his party together amid a fallout over the report that found Mr Johnson lied about partygate, after drawing condemnation from opposition parties.
It has already reignited criticism over his position on his predecessor-but-one’s resignation appointments, with Tory aide Ben Mallett – awarded an OBE on the list – also visible in the video.
CCHQ said “formal disciplinary action” was taken against four staff members, who were seconded to the London mayoral campaign of Shaun Bailey, over the “unauthorised” event.
The failed candidate – who was handed a peerage by former prime minister Boris Johnson in his controversial resignation honours list – has previously apologised for the event.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said the footage shows Tories “openly mocked the rules the British people followed” while Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said it should make ministers “sick to their stomachs”.
“Revellers at this lockdown Tory booze-up openly mocked the rules the British people followed. The Tories think it’s one rule for them and one rule for everyone else,” Ms Rayner said.
Boris Johnson has denied telling lies to the Commons about Partygate
PA
“Instead of forcing them to face the consequences, Rishi Sunak has caved into Boris Johnson’s demands and chosen to reward them with honours. It’s a sickening insult.
“This Prime Minister is failing to deliver the integrity he promised and showing he’s too weak to turn the page on 13 years of Tory scandal.”
Ms Cooper said: “Conservative MPs and ministers should be sick to their stomachs seeing this new Partygate footage.
“While families grieved and NHS staff worked on the front line, Conservative Campaign Headquarters partied."
The party was for Conservative staff organising Shaun Bailey's London mayoral campaign
Mirror
She added: "What’s worse is the current Prime Minister granted Boris Johnson’s request to give some of these people honours.
“There are thousands of families out there who deserve an apology for this scandal – Rishi Sunak should give them one immediately.”
A CCHQ spokesman said: “Senior CCHQ staff became aware of an unauthorised social gathering in the basement of Matthew Parker Street organised by the Bailey campaign on the evening of December 14 2020.
“Formal disciplinary action was taken against the four CCHQ staff who were seconded to the Bailey campaign.”
GB News' Senior Political Analyst Nigel Nelson said: "There were at least 24 Tory staffers there.
"Quite clearly when you look at that video there is new evidence for the police.
"But we're so far on from the event now, I would question whether it's really the best use of police time to investigate it again."