People in Greater Manchester have expressed their fury at claims Boris Johnson held a party at Downing Street last Christmas while strict lockdown rules were in place.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for allegedly holding a festive gathering on December 18 last year.
At the time, rules in London explicitly banned work Christmas lunches and parties where it is 'a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted'.
Tight Tier 3 restrictions were also in place in Greater Manchester at the time, which banned social mixing indoors, as well as in many other places across the country.
READ MORE: Senior Downing Street staff caught joking about holding Christmas party in new leaked footage
Locals have now reacted after a new recording, which was leaked to ITV News, caught No. 10 staff joking about the alleged bash.
It showed a group of staff members laughing and making references to 'cheese and wine' at the 'business meeting'.
And the Prime Minister's former spokesperson, Allegra Stratton, was also captured on footage laughing saying 'there was definitely no social distancing'.
Some residents have responded to a tweet posted by Andy Burnham saying they missed funerals, could not be loved ones who were ill and stuck to rules 'while the Tories were laughing at us all'.
The tweet posted by the Greater Manchester Mayor last night said: "To think of all the sacrifices they asked people in Greater Manchester to make."
@annienic123 said: "We missed our beloved auntie's funeral. I worked every day in the NHS and it didn’t cross our minds to have a Christmas party.
"We worked, we wore masks, we took our lateral flow tests, we came home and showered and prayed we weren’t bringing the virus home to our families."
@NorthAngry responded: "I stuck to the rules. I didn’t see my Dad. He was in a care home with dementia.
"On that day we had a ‘window visit’ and he was worried that I was cold and why couldn’t I come in for a cuppa. He died in April. I cannot forgive this."
Referring to her daughter, @1985Deane said: "By this time we had been back in Tier whatever / lockdown for what felt like an eternity.
"No hope or care with Amber, she couldn't go to mum and dad's no, no help at all I was exhausted and teary. many other had it much worse but to think of them partying makes me beyond cross."
@GedG855 tweeted: "I lost my mum to Covid just after Xmas, it was horrendous, restrictions on the funeral and no wake allowed, and all the while the Tories were laughing at us all."
@FunkyFlamingo_ said: "Will never forget how poorly Bolton in particular, along with Blackburn, were treated last year.
"Absolutely awful restrictions that many still don't realise occurred as "pilot lockdowns" that were piloted for almost the whole year."
@50twoperCent posted: "Can't believe I had to shut my gym business for 9 months, something that actually helps people get fit and healthy, whilst they were all having a p*ss up!"
@Neferure1 said: "Yes, we missed my in law's wedding last December because we were told not to travel, only 15 people were allowed at weddings, wedding receptions were banned, meeting in gardens was banned and hotels were closed.
"All the while they were partying! I'm beyond p****d off."
The Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord has 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.
In a tweet he said: "A Freedom of Information Request has now been sent to No.10. I want to know who attended these Xmas Parties and if we, the tax payers, paid for all the food and alcohol.
"They have 20 days to respond."
Downing Street have denied the claims and Boris Johnson has said that 'rules were followed' at all times.
In response to ITV’s report, a Downing Street spokesman said: “There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times.”
Though as fury mounts this morning, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has pulled out a key broadcast interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
He was due to appear today but cancelled after the footage emerged.
Presenter Nick Robinson said: “We were expecting to speak to the Health Secretary Sajid Javid this morning but we were told just a few minutes after that video emerged that no minister would be available to speak on the programme today.”
Mr Johnson will be under the spotlight at the Prime Minister's Questions today, with Sir Kier Starmer likely to grill him on the footage.
He could even face uncomfortable questions from his own backbenches, with veteran Conservative Sir Roger Gale declaring that the situation bore 'all the hallmarks of another ‘Barnard Castle’ moment' – a reference to the Prime Minister’s former aide driving 260 miles during strict lockdown conditions last year.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers are reviewing the leaked video in relation to 'alleged breaches' of coronavirus regulations.
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