Watch: Video appears to show Tories mocking rules at Covid-era Christmas party
Footage has emerged appearing to show Tory Party staff dancing and joking about Covid restrictions during the height of the pandemic at a Christmas party.
In the video, obtained by the Mirror, 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 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.
Whilst we locked down and spent Christmas alone to protect our families and loved ones
The Tories were doing this. They broke the rules and put lives at risk
Every Tory MP that condones this behavior should be sacked!#ToriesOut #GTTOpic.twitter.com/sKw8JXayzN
— NHS Nurses (@SocialistNHS) June 17, 2023
Scotland Yard launched an investigation after the Daily Mirror published a picture of the gathering, 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 latest report.
Disciplinary action
CCHQ said “formal disciplinary action” was taken against four staff members, who were seconded to the campaign of London Mayor hopeful 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.
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.
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.
“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.”
Sick
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.
“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.”
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Pity they never employed Boris Johnson to dress up as Father Christmas and come down the chimney seeing he was recently unemployed. After all, he does have many mouths to feed having 50 children, 20 wives, and those are the ones he can remember. Saying that, would he fit down the average chimney with his portly figure? Doubtful. I know, let’s use him to unblock the nostrils of the Welsh dragon!
‘Video appears to show Tories mocking’. Well, ‘US’ should be the next word but they’ve been doing that since the 18th century. Thatcher mocked a miners’ wife telling her to ‘cheer up’ as she continued her plan to starve her family whilst banging on about clean jobs but not providing them before destroying what were, to her, meaningless lives. Even remaining former members of HER cabinet despise the present day crop of Satans’ minions as they dare to heap contempt on the people they purport to govern when they are thousands of leagues beneath it.
Who knew that the antidote to Covid was Tory arrogance, it must have been understood from the beginning that a silver spoon from birth would protect one from diseases of the common herd…
Private hospitals paid £2 billion by NHS to treat NHS patients but did not deliver, more money given to Hunt’s mates…Curse him and them…
In a balanced mixed economy ( something we can only dream about!) there is room for some private service provision. The prevalent situation in UK and here in Wales is unacceptable because the NHS has been drained to divert patients in acute pain into the clutches of the private providers. People are known to have invested the last of their savings, even run up credit card or bank debt to obtain relief from various ailments. Yet another symptom of the cancer of elitist corruption that eats at the body of our nation.
I agree but don’t automatically expect any better treatment or results…
A definitive comparison of the two systems should be available…
Anyone who watches this video cannot arrogantly proclaim after how these drunken pathetic Conservative creatures laughing and dancing wearing “party hats” Tory HQ in December 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, some who featured were part of Boris’s honours list, MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!! I’ve regularly heard on TV & radio those defenders of Boris Johnson state what really deems a party, and how those involved were “just letting off steam” after working so hard poppycock! They forget it was our doctors, nurses, care workers who put their lives at risk to care for the living and dying… Read more »
Recourse to justice must be sought in the civil courts, a class action against the Tory government for genocide and grand larceny is the logical next step…
We may not be able to see them hang but to be brought to their knees financially and stripped of any titles and awards is the least we should expect…