The Prime Minister has declined to repeat a claim from Downing Street that staff did not hold a Christmas party in No 10 during Covid restrictions, despite further details of the alleged celebrations emerging.
The Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord has now submitted an FOI to Downing Street in a bid to reveal if taxpayers' cash was spent on the parties.
He has also demanded to know who attended the alleged gatherings.
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The Mirror published claims last week that several dozens of people attended the festive ‘boozy parties' and enjoyed games at Downing Street on December 18 2020.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson instead insisted no rules were broken, as the Times also reported that staff wore festive jumpers and were asked to bring “secret Santa” gifts.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman has insisted “there was not a party” but the Prime Minister declined to characterise the event during a visit to a prison in London on Tuesday.
“What I can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed, continue to be observed,” he told broadcasters when questioned at HMP Isis as the Government tries to portray itself as tough on crime.
Asked if he investigated personally, Mr Johnson said: “I am satisfied myself that the guidelines were followed at all times.”
Ministers are yet to explain how the alleged bash complied with the rules in place at the time.
Two events reportedly took place in No 10 in the run-up to the festive season last year, including Mr Johnson giving a speech at a leaving do during November’s lockdown.
The other was said to be a staff party in December where party games were played, food and drinks were served, and revelries went on past midnight.
At the time, the Tier 3 rules explicitly banned work Christmas lunches and parties where it is “a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted”.
Night life boss Sacha Lord has now submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Government in an attempt to reveal details about the get-together.
He tweeted a copy of the request on Tuesday, December 7 writing: “ I want to know who attended these Xmas parties and if we, the taxpayers, paid for all the food and alcohol.”
The Warehouse Project co-founder Mr Lord also told TalkRadio: “I am so angry about this, I am fuming.
"We know on Christmas week, we could not see friends, family and loved ones. My industry was shut down and I understand that but at the same time there was a Christmas party in Downing Street... ”
Mr Johnson said all Covid rules had been followed in Downing Street when grilled about the claims at Prime Minister’s Question Time last week.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on the Prime Minister to “be honest” about the “knees-up” in Downing Street.
“Very many people are very, very upset by this because while all the rest of the country was in lockdown not seeing loved ones, the people who lost people in that period now know that there was a knees-up and a booze-up in Downing Street, and even now the Prime Minister can’t just be honest.
“So I say to him: Be honest, own up. We don’t need a criminal investigation, we need a Prime Minister who is honest about it.”
