Four people in Liverpool City Region died of Covid-19 on the day Downing Street is alleged to have held a Christmas party.
It is claimed Downing Street staff broke lockdown rules by holding a Christmas party on December 18 2020.
At the time, much of the country had been placed in 'Tier 3' restrictions, with Liverpool City Region in Tier 2.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson considering new restrictions with lockdown 'not ruled out'
The Government's rules meant no households in the City Region could mix indoors and hospital visiting arrangements were limited to exceptional circumstances.
But on December 18, Downing Street staff are alleged to have held a party, where they reportedly played games, served food and drinks and revelries went on past midnight.
Yet by midnight in the Liverpool City Region, four people were dead, having tested positive for coronavirus within a 28-day period.
Two were from Liverpool, one from Wirral and one from Halton.
Across the United Kingdom, 514 people in total died that day within 28 days of their first positive test for COVID-19.
Of the deaths registered in the week ending December 18 2020 in England and Wales, 2,986 mentioned "novel coronavirus (COVID-19)", accounting for 22.9% of all deaths.
That week deaths involving COVID-19 increased compared with the week ending December 11 2020 by 230 deaths.
Timeline of Liverpool City Region restrictions and events
December 2 2020:
Liverpool City Region was put into Tier 2 when the national lockdown was lifted on December 2, meaning restaurants and pubs serving food could open up again.
However, you couldn't socialise with anyone you didn't live with or anyone not in your support bubble, in any indoor setting.
The 'rule of six' was also in place, banning people from socialising in a group of more than six people outside.
December 10 2020:
The Mirror reported that former education secretary Gavin Williamson threw a party and delivered a short speech at the event, which took place on December 10 while London was in Tier 2, which banned social mixing between households.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."
December 16 2020:
Liverpool City Region remains in Tier 2, while London moves to Tier 3.
However, Mr Johnson warns people to “think hard” about Christmas plans.
In a press conference that day Mr Johnson said: "A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas”.
December 18 2020:
The Daily Mirror alleges there was a staff party held inside Downing Street where games were played, food and drinks were served, and revelries went on past midnight.
At the time, the Government stated: "Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier."
This was tweeted out by the official gov.uk account on December 17 2020 following a question about whether Christmas parties were allowed in the workplace.
December 22 2020:
Footage, leaked on Tuesday night, shows the No 10 press briefing room on December 22 2020.
The video shows former press secretary Ms Stratton laughing as she appeared to rehearse answers to questions over a lockdown Christmas party.
The clip, which is reported to be from December 22 last year, refers to a party on "Friday" - which would have been December 18, the same day of the Daily Mirror's claims.
What has been Boris Johnson's response to the alleged Christmas party?
Mr Johnson has ordered an investigation into the claims Downing Street staff broke lockdown rules by holding a Christmas party last year.
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Johnson apologised for the offence caused by the footage of his then-spokeswoman Allegra Stratton at a mock press conference.
But he insisted and said he had been repeatedly assured 'there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken'.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson said: "I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing No 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures, and I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules because I was also furious to see that clip.
"I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and I apologise for the impression that it gives.
"But I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken, and that is what I have been repeatedly assured."
Mr Johnson said he had asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case "to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible - and it goes without saying that if those rules were broken then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved".
The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers are reviewing the leaked video in relation to "alleged breaches" of coronavirus regulations.
When the Liverpool ECHO asked Downing Street for comment, they referred us to Mr Johnson's response during Prime Minister's Questions.
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