British PM apologises, orders probe into aides’ alleged lockdown party

A video emerged of U.K. Prime Minister’s senior aides joking about a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when social events were banned under COVID-19 rules

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised and announced an internal probe on Wednesday after a video emerged of senior aides joking about a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when social events were banned under COVID-19 rules.

The leaked footage appears to contradict more than a week of denials by Mr. Johnson and his Ministers that a party took place, following newspaper reports that dozens of staff had attended an evening-long gathering on December 18, 2020.

The embattled leader, who faced calls for his resignation from some Opposition politicians during a raucous parliamentary question session, vowed “disciplinary action” would be taken if the investigation found rules had been broken. The probe will be led by Britain’s most senior civil servant. “I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing No 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures,” he said.