New footage shows Tories dancing at Christmas party in breach of lockdown rules

Newly released footage reveals a Christmas gathering held at the Conservative party headquarters in London on 14 December 2020. The video, obtained by the Mirror newspaper, shows approximately 24 staff members consuming alcohol at the event and dancing on the same day that the then health secretary, Matt Hancock, announced the imposition of tier 3 restrictions in London to curb the escalating number of Covid infections. Two individuals can be seen colliding with a buffet table, disregarding the 'Please keep your distance' sign. In the background, as one man notices he is being recorded he expresses shock, asking if the gathering is being filmed. Another responds: 'It’s for party, erm, party use.' Another attendee then says: 'As long as we don’t stream that we’re like, bending the rules.' The footage is understood to be the first time video has emerged of the rule-breaking parties in Westminster. Video emerges of Conservative HQ Christmas party during Covid ‘Indefensible’: Michael Gove apologises for Tory HQ Partygate video Boris Johnson deliberately misled parliament over Partygate, MPs find