Boris Johnson grilled by Kuenssberg over new Covid measures

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The BBC’s Political editor questioned how Boris Johnson can expect Britons to follow the latest raft of covid measures following reports that a Christmas party was held in Downing Street at the height of tier 3 lockdown restrictions on December 18, 2020. Footage later emerged of the Prime Minister’s former spokeswoman Allegra Stratton laughing about the supposed party in a mock press conference days later.

Ms Kuenssberg erupted: “You’re tightening the rules again for millions of people tonight.

“How can you stand at that lectern exactly where some of your team laughed and joked about covid rules?

“And tell people they must now follow your new instructions…

“And are you really asking the public to believe that you had no idea what was going on under your own roof?”

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Mr Johnson appeared to dodge the question instead diverting his answer to sharing commiserations for outgoing COP26 spokeswoman Allegra Statton who made the comments.

He went on to add: “The British public can see the vital importance of the medical information that we are giving

“And they can see the need to take it to heart and to act upon it and that point has been proved time and time again.

“That has never been more conspicuous than the way the public has responded to the vaccine rollout and the way they have done the responsible thing.

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“I take my encouragement from the way the public have dealt with it themselves.”

Following the fiery exchange, @mikewhoatv tweeted: “WHOA! Laura Kuenssberg is all of us. That question was venomous…”

But another user, @sarahsansom76, joked: “Nah! The BBC are just another No10 mouthpiece. That question was absolutely pre-agreed.”

In grim footage obtained by ITV from December 20 which has sparked fury across Britain, Ms Stratton, who resigned following her comments, can be heard laughing in response to a question by adviser Ed Oldfield.

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He asked: “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night, do you recognise those reports?”

Laughing, Ms Stratton said: “This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced.”

No 10 initially did not say the reports were inaccurate but said all rules had been followed, before later denying any party had taken place.

Plan B will see the return of working from home for all that are able to, vaccine passports or proof of a negative lateral flow for large venues and compulsory mask wearing in indoor situations.

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