Downing St Christmas Party - what's behind this?

[Leafyhouse]

Presumably someone knew about this for a year. And they've waited until just before Christmas to release it - and not all at once. They drip-fed allegations, waited for ministerial denials, then a few days later released damning video footage. I have 2 theories:

1. The media are looking for a scalp. Boris preferably, or perhaps Keir if he doesn't take the fight to the PM satisfactorily.

1. Rishi Sunak supporters. There's a perception that Boris needs to go, and the 1922 committee will show their hand soon.

1. Anti lockdown supporters. It looks like we may have to lockdown further before Christmas, and they're hell bent on undermining the PM's ability to do it.

What worries me is that no-one in the media is asking these questions. Which makes me think they're complicit.

AIBU to think we're being played like fools here?

Why do you think we will need to lockdown before Christmas? What evidence do you have for this?

I can’t say I’ve got much sympathy for her, you lie with dogs and all that, but Her joking about it to a colleague doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s wrong.

I don't think it is a big conspiracy, I just think sometimes people get pissed off and then they leak something they have had a while.

I read something that 'everyone likes Johnson until they get to know him' - I think people are getting sick of him being useless, selfish and a massive bastard. The longer he goes on the more enemies he will make.

I am transfixed by days like this where the politics never stops and I am stuck listening to 24 hour news like

1. I don’t think Allegra Stratton is laughing (finds it amusing) I think she is laughing, embarrassed.
2. was it a party, or a few drinks and nibbles after a business meeting - it is very normal behaviour to have this at a meeting before Christmas - particularly if the attendees have been working closely together in a bubble.
3. people are being very holier than thou about people enjoying themselves while others were suffering. It would not surprise me if a bunker mentality had developed in Downing Street, with people working hard and playing hard - a bit like teams in WW2, who partied during the blitz.

That being said - I think Johnson is a complete clown and not fit for office. I’m quite happy for him to be pushed over this, rather than all his errors of judgement.

Which prominent political journalists were present and have kept it under wraps?

Well Allegra Stratton is married to the political editor of the spectator (I think him and Rishi Sunak are also godfathers to each other’s children, and Sunak was best man at the wedding). So that’s who I’d bet on.

Yeah, I was thinking that too. They shouldn’t have done it, but I think many of us probably have broken the rules in some way. And to be honest it’s probably a bit of letting off steam for them: it must have been intense for them all year.

Just not sure why it’s getting brung up now a year later. The focus should be on what’s happening now and in the future

It was filmed deliberately for training, someone either forgot about it and then the recent allegations reminded them of it or, more likely, it's a backbencher who sat on it waiting until they needed to use it. Johnson's days are numbered, thank goodness. Just wish the minority in this country would stop voting the Tories in

Oh just heard AS statement

She sounded so upset

I did feel for her. I know I probably shouldn’t but that trying not to cry got me

At this point the question isnt so much who would but who wouldn't. Its all very Murder on the Orient Express.
Dom Cum did warn him on twitter yesterday it would be unwise to lie. I thought at that point they might have some photos. But as Johnson incriminates himself everytime he opens his moth and another lie pops out I am sort of hoping now he has denied there was a party in the HOC the photos might appear next.

@Witchlight

1) I don’t think Allegra Stratton is laughing (finds it amusing) I think she is laughing, embarrassed. 2) was it a party, or a few drinks and nibbles after a business meeting - it is very normal behaviour to have this at a meeting before Christmas - particularly if the attendees have been working closely together in a bubble. 3) people are being very holier than thou about people enjoying themselves while others were suffering. It would not surprise me if a bunker mentality had developed in Downing Street, with people working hard and playing hard - a bit like teams in WW2, who partied during the blitz.

That being said - I think Johnson is a complete clown and not fit for office. I’m quite happy for him to be pushed over this, rather than all his errors of judgement.

She's not laughing anymore.

@MarshaBradyo

Oh just heard AS statement

She sounded so upset

I did feel for her. I know I probably shouldn’t but that trying not to cry got me

But she didn't actually say anything. Lots of words with no substance. Like Hancock.

@Witchlight

1) I don’t think Allegra Stratton is laughing (finds it amusing) I think she is laughing, embarrassed. 2) was it a party, or a few drinks and nibbles after a business meeting - it is very normal behaviour to have this at a meeting before Christmas - particularly if the attendees have been working closely together in a bubble. 3) people are being very holier than thou about people enjoying themselves while others were suffering. It would not surprise me if a bunker mentality had developed in Downing Street, with people working hard and playing hard - a bit like teams in WW2, who partied during the blitz.

That being said - I think Johnson is a complete clown and not fit for office. I’m quite happy for him to be pushed over this, rather than all his errors of judgement.

Exactly. Everyone is forgetting schools were still open, and many, inc. DD's had an end of term xmas party. They worked all day and then had a party, I can't get fussed about it tbh. And as for an enquiry, I think it's a waste to time and money.

The BBC at lunchtime found if difficult to find anyone who was particularly incensed. The incensed seem to be the media, which feeds into the whole narrative, that someone, somewhere, has an agenda. No surprise there.

I wish it had come out in January!

Still bloody angry though.

The party was a problem. The blatant lying by Prime Minister about it is a much bigger problem.

Interesting discussion right now on radio 4 about this…

It is not the original "offence" that gets politicians... it is the attempted coverup and lying that normally does for them.

@MostNamesAreTaken

What is the actual evidence for the party? Is it just unsubstantiated rumours and the mock press briefing? If so it seems odd that it is being treated as absolute fact in the media. Is there a named source?

Do you think it is just a coincidence that 4 days after the alleged party there is a video of Allegra Stratton being asked about the party last Friday i.e. the day of the alleged party. Did they think a year ago that people would make up a party for the 18th December 2021 and she was having a laugh about it on the 22nd?

Does anyone know why some of the faces in the video are blurred out? Why do those people get more anonymity? Are they people who don’t speak in it?

It is very strange

I wonder what would have happened if this had gotten out last year

Maybe the leak was worried that the results could have been catastrophic for covid and non compliance?

@DeclineandFall

The party was a problem. The blatant lying by Prime Minister about it is a much bigger problem.

Exactly. The admission from the education department that they also had a party has barely registered, they admitted they did it, admitted it wasn't a good idea shows how openness is a better bet.

@SickAndTiredAgain

Does anyone know why some of the faces in the video are blurred out? Why do those people get more anonymity? Are they people who don’t speak in it?

Yes, they are not really involved in the key exchange. Some will be more junior. Assume all are political appointments.

Just turned to R4 who said they blur out anyone not in key exchange due to repercussions

@WhatdoImean

It is not the original "offence" that gets politicians... it is the attempted coverup and lying that normally does for them.

And they never seem to learn that!

Williamson and the department for education were accused of an event of some sort and they’ve said “sorry, it was a few people staying behind after work but it was wrong, apologies” and it’s mainly gone away. Partly because the Downing Street party is a bigger story of course, but if Downing Street had said the same thing a few days ago when this first came out, it wouldn’t be as big I don’t think.
Maybe the reason they didn’t do this is because they know it wasn’t a small breach, but a massive party and therefore think flat out denial is their best bet.

People are jealous of Mr Johnson’s popularity and that is why this has been brought up now. He’s one of the most popular PMs we’ve ever had and labour know they have no chance while he’s around.

@IpanemaPeaHen

Interesting discussion right now on radio 4 about this…

Ooh, thanks! It's 'The Media Show' in case you're looking for this on BBC Sounds. Listening to it now.