A former Nottingham Post journalist and Prime Minister's spokesman has apologised "unreservedly" for attending a leaving party in his honour.
James Slack acted as Boris Johnson's spokesperson before he left his role in April last year, attending his leaving party - one of two alleged to have taken place on April 16 in Downing Street.
The party was the day before Prince Philip's socially distanced funeral.
Mr Slack said in a statement: "I wish to apologise unreservedly for the anger and hurt caused. This event should not have happened at the time that it did. I am deeply sorry, and take full responsibility."
He said he could not comment further as the matter had been referred to Sue Gray's ever-growing investigation into more than half a dozen parties, The Mirror reports.
After starting his career at the Mansfield Chad in the 1990s, Mr Slack joined the Nottingham Post and went on to work for the Daily Mail before beginning his career in politics.
He acted as the Prime Minister's official spokesperson since 2017, becoming the communications director in 2020.
Boris Johnson's staff were alleged to have held two different events inside the Downing Street complex - despite the Government’s guidance at the time warning: “You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.
“You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households.”
Mr Slack is said to have given a speech at one of the bashes, before they later merged and spilt out into the No10 garden.
The other is said to have been a leaving do for a photographer that involved a DJ in the basement of No10 - and a staff member being dispatched to the local Co-Op to fill a suitcase with wine.
At the photographer’s leaving do, a laptop was allegedly placed on a photocopier and music blared out.
A No10 spokesman said of Mr Slack's farewell event: "On this individual's last day he gave a farewell speech to thank each team for the work they had done to support him, both those who had to be in the office for work and on a screen for those working from home."
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted he attended a party in May 2020, during lockdown.
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (January 12) Mr Johnson admitted he had attended a party in the garden of Downing Street - but argued it was a work event and that, technically, he didn't break any rules.
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
