New 'Partygate' footage has emerged, showing Tory politicians boozing, dancing to Fairytale of New York and mocking lockdown rules at the height of Covid.
The previously unseen footage exposes for the first time how officials joked about their lockdown rule-bending Christmas bash at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London.
At least 24 revellers were there, including two named on Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial resignation honours list.
In the exclusive footage, obtained by Mirror UK, two dancers even twirl past a sign saying “Please keep your distance”.
READ MORE: Major Ireland weather update as 12-hour thunderstorms to wreak havoc in dramatic forecast change
This knees-up was held on December 14, 2020 when large parts of the UK were barred from socialising indoors.
The footage shows two revellers knock over wine glasses as they spiral into a table laden with buffet food. The unsteady pair twirl each other around to the sounds of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York.
It is the first time footage has emerged of one of the rule-breaking parties in Westminster. In the video, which shows a karaoke machine with flashing lights, partygoers joke about how they are breaking the rules.
When one man sees he is being recorded, he says: “Oh Christ.” Then another asks: “Are you filming this?” Someone else responds: “It’s for party, erm, party use.”
A man then laughs after declaring: “As long as we are not streaming that we’re, like, bending the rules.”
It was just days after the party that Mr Johnson announced even tighter restrictions which meant people in the areas worst hit by Covid could not see their loved ones over Christmas.
A widely seen picture of the bash formed part of a Met Police probe last year. The force had only still images to go on and found insufficient evidence of law breaking and no fines were issued.
But the damning video throws new light on the affair and the Tories could face the threat of a new police probe. Met says it will assess whether it could be material to an inquiry.
The party was organised by the campaign team of then London Mayor candidate Shaun Bailey – now Lord Bailey after Mr Johnson made him a peer in his honours list. Mr Bailey had left the party before the video was taken.
It features Ben Mallet – awarded an OBE in Mr Johnson’s list. Mr Mallet, filmed holding a glass of red wine and wearing festive braces, was the Tories’ campaign director for the 2021 London mayoral election. He now runs the campaign of Moz Hossain, who wants to stand in next year’s mayoral race.
The UK Mirror published a picture of the gathering in December 2021 showing staff members and volunteers in close quarters, raising glasses of wine. A buffet is seen on trestle tables around the room.
A Metropolitan Police investigation concluded last November that the “photo by itself is not sufficient evidence on which to assess that an offence had been committed”.
A spokesman for the Met said at the time: “The investigation reviewed all the material thoroughly and, after careful consideration, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to disprove the version of events provided by attendees to a standard that would meet the threshold required.”
After the picture emerged, Mr Bailey apologised “unreservedly” for the event and resigned as chair of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee.
He tweeted: “I gave a speech to my team to thank them... it was a serious error of judgment at a time when Londoners were making immense sacrifices to keep us all safe and I regret it wholeheartedly.”
READ NEXT:
- Get rid of flies in the house with cheap Aldi item as shopper hails ‘best purchase of the year’
- 'I arrived home and found someone parked in my drive - so I made sure to ruin their weekend'
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
