Professor Chris Whitty took a swipe at Tory MPs and aides who breached lockdown rules to enjoy parties last Christmas prompting the Prime Minister to insist, "I follow the rules".
England's Chief Medical Officer said he didn't want to comment on individual cases and mark what is right or wrong, but stressed people will get angry when people in "high places" break the rules.
When asked to advise Brits on whether they should go ahead with their Christmas plans, Professor Whitty said: "When people think there is unfairness in high places of course they get angry."
He added: "Most people separate that out from their absolute need to think about what is good for them, their families, their communities and their workplaces."
But Boris Johnson appeared to distance himself from mounting accusations of lockdown breaching parties that took place in Westminster last Christmas, as he noted that politicians "should" follow Covid rules.
The PM said: "On your point about rules, I follow the rules. Everybody across politics should follow the rules."
It comes after Shaun Bailey quit his role in the London Assembly last night, and appeared to apologise on Twitter.
Professor Whitty said he believes his Christmas plans with his family will be "interrupted".
The PM said he is having a scaled back celebration.
"My Christmas plans are already scaling back. You know, there will be far fewer things that I'll do with my children as we run up to Christmas and if they're listening, sorry, but that is absolutely a fact.
"But we will enjoy it together and we'll enjoy it at home and we will enjoy it safely. And as and when I need to work over the Christmas period I will be just as my colleagues will be because that's what we're here to do."
Dr David Nabarro from the World Health Organisation issued a strong warning about the Omicron variant, saying it's "vital" we reduce its spread as it's likely to get "extremely serious in the next two weeks".
