Boris Johnson and wife Carrie needed a friend to form a "childcare bubble" with them over Christmas ,a Cabinet member has insisted.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said it was because of the challenges of parenting while Prime Minister.
The news has sparked questions to Downing Street after a report in Harper’s Magazine claimed Nimco Ali "spent Christmas with the couple at No 10 despite pandemic restrictions on holiday gatherings".
Lockdown restrictions in London at the time largely prevented household mixing.
READ MORE: Mum demands refund after son's Kicker's were left looking like this days after she bought them
Thousands of people across the country had their festive plans cancelled last year when Mr Johnson placed the capital and much of the South East under Tier 4 restrictions amid soaring coronavirus cases.
But Ms Trevelyan said it was "absolutely the right thing" for them to have Ali, their son Wilfred’s godmother, at No 10.
The International Trade Secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "It’s hard enough for the rest of us, when you’re having to run a country as well and have the challenges of difficult pregnancies, having a supportive friend to be there in your bubble is absolutely the right thing to do."
Ms Trevelyan, who described Ali as a "passionate and adoring godmother" also insisted the Johnsons had followed the restrictions in place at the time.
"I have no doubt at all the Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson followed the rules and they had the kind support of Nimco to support them in what was a really tough time for them,” she added.
"It was a childcare bubble and Nimco was there to help support and look after Wilf whilst the challenges of being the Prime Minister and his wife… I have every confidence they did not break the rules."
The childcare bubble rules were open to anyone living in a household with a child aged under 14, allowing friends or family from one other household to provide help looking after the child.
To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
