Bombshell pictures which appear to show Boris Johnson partying in Number 10 during the second national lockdown have emerged.
The images, published by ITV News, cast fresh doubts about how truthful the Prime Minister has been over the partygate saga.
Mr Johnson can be seen toasting pixelated staff at the event, which the broadcaster says took place on November 13, 2020.
Bottles of alcohol and food can be seen on the table in front of him – with at least eight people seen standing closely together.
Coronavirus restrictions at the time said just two people from different households were allowed to mix indoors.
But Mr Johnson, who appears to be making a toast with a glass of fizz, went on to claim, in Parliament that there was no party in Number 10 that day.
Labour MP Catherine West asked him in Parliament: ‘Can the prime minister tell the House whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 November?’
He replied: ‘No, but I’m sure whatever happened the guidance… and the rules were followed at all times.’
Deliberately misleading Parliament, is – by convention – normally a resigning matter.
The PM went on to repeatedly claim, both in the Commons and to the public, that there were no parties in his own home and workplace, before the police found that there in fact had been.
The Metropolitan Police duly fined Mr Johnson for breaking the law, but only once, despite a series of parties taking place in Number 10 and across Whitehall.
The force has not fined the PM for his attendance at the November 13 event, after concluding its investigation into the saga last week.
The latest revelation comes as senior civil servant Sue Gray prepares to deliver her report on the scandal, in what is expected to be an extremely damaging moment for the PM, who has faced continued and widespread calls for him to resign.
This gathering is said to have been a leaving do for Downing Street’s then Director of Communications Lee Cain.
Eight days earlier, Mr Johnson had imposed England’s second national lockdown, which lasted four weeks.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Cabinet Office and the Met Police have had access to all information relevant to their investigations, including photographs.
‘The Met have concluded their investigation and Sue Gray will publish her report in the coming days, at which point the Prime Minister will address Parliament in full.’
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Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Boris Johnson of undoubtedly lying over rule-breaking parties in Downing Street.
She said: ‘While the British public were making huge sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law.
‘Boris Johnson said repeatedly that he knew nothing about law-breaking – there’s no doubt now, he lied. Boris Johnson made the rules, and then broke them.
‘The Prime Minister has demeaned his office. The British people deserve better. While Labour has a plan for tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Tory MPs are too busy defending the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson.’
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