Local MPs have slammed the government for breaking Covid rules by partying while thousands died.

New revelations about a party at Downing Street on December 18 last year, when such gatherings were banned and people were unable to see sick relatives, have triggered widespread anger.

A video has emerged showing senior Downing Street staff, including Boris Johnson's then official spokesman, joking about the party and how it might be handled at a press conference.

Separately, it has emerged that, also last December, the then Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, hosted a party for staff where he gave a speech and staff enjoyed drinks and canapes.

The Department for Education today accepted it 'would have been better not to have gathered in this way'.

Twickenham MP, Munira Wilson, the Lib-Dem Education spokesperson, Tweeted: "No10 taking public for fools, still pretending there was no party, despite *that* video of them laughing in our faces.

"Williamson partying with friends whilst >1m kids were out of school.

"Furious doesn't even begin to cover it. Arrogant, callous, incompetent - the lot of them."

She liked a Tweet by Tory MP, Sir Roger Gale, who wrote: "The No.10 party has all the hallmarks of another 'Barnard Castle' moment. No.10 clearly has some serious questions to answer. Fast."

Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, liked a Lib-Dem Tweet, which said: "Boris Johnson and the Conservatives simply believe that the rules don't apply to them."

In a statement about the event hosted by Gavin Williamson, the Department for Education said: "The gathering was used to thank those staff for their efforts during the pandemic. While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."

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