A video obtained by the Daily Mirror shows at least 24 people dancing and enjoying a Christmas party in December 2020, when lockdown restrictions were in place across London. The Metropolitan police has since said it is aware of the video and is considering what action to take.
Taking place at Conservative Campaign Headquarters on December 14, 2020, the controversial video shows staff drinking, dancing and appearing to mock lockdown laws at a Christmas party.
While two individuals dance together, you can see posters on the wall beside them highlighting social distancing rules of at least two metres between individuals. At the time of the party, London was placed in Tier 2 Covid restrictions, which banned any mixing between households indoors, except within support bubbles.
No more than six people were allowed to meet outside if they were socially distanced, a rule that was apparently broken if the video is to be believed.
One attendee at the party can be heard saying off-camera, “as long as we don’t stream that we’re, like, bending the rules”, before laughing.
Those who are visible within the video are starting to be identified, including two people on former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s outgoing honours list. Here’s a look at who else was in attendance.
Who was at the Conservative Christmas party during Covid lockdown?
So far, five people have been identified as attending the party in the video, including staffers Ben Mallet and Shaun Bailey.
Here is the list of identified people.
Ben Mallet
Bailey’s campaign director can be seen in the video wearing festive braces, a navy blue tie, and holding a glass of wine. The tory aide was previously awarded an OBE by Boris Johnson, and is believed to be a close friend of Carrie Johnson.
Shaun Bailey
At the time of the party, Mr Bailey was the party’s candidate for London mayor when the lockdown-busting party was held.
The Guardian reported that he left the event just before the video was filmed but Mr Bailey was photographed smiling and in attendance, while colleagues pose with glasses in their hands.
Nick Candy
Tory donor Nick Candy was spotted in the same picture as Mr Bailey.
Jack Smith
One half of the dancing couple seen in the leaked video, Mr Smith currently works as a parliamentary aide for Tory energy minister Graham Stuart.
Malin Bogue
Malin Bogue is seen twirling around with the aforementioned Jack Smith in the leaked video, next to social distancing posters, dancing so energetically that they eventually knock over some glassware. Ms Bogue worked on Mr Johnson’s leadership campaign to replace Theresa May as party leader in 2019 and now works for the lobbying firm Stonehaven as a senior consultant.
