Video showing Tory staff at Christmas party during lockdown is ‘terrible’, Michael Gove admits

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A video showing Conservative Party workers at a Christmas party during lockdown in 2020 is “terrible” and “completely out of order”, Michael Gove has said.

The Levelling Up Secretary was reacting to the video, obtained by the Mirror, which showed people dancing and drinking at a gathering – ignoring strict social distancing rules imposed by the government at the height of the pandemic.

“The fact this party went ahead is indefensible,” Mr Gove told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Politics Hub latest: Gove reacts to Christmas party footage

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At least 24 people were reportedly at the event, which took place at Conservative Party headquarters on 14 December 2020.

Mr Gove told Sky News: “I just want to apologise to everyone really who, looking at that image, will think well these are people who are flouting the rules that were put in place to protect us all.”

He said the fact the party went ahead is “indefensible”, and he’s “sure the people there feel contrite – or I hope they do”.

The gathering included Shaun Bailey – who was running a campaign to be the mayor of London at the time – and Ben Mallet, the director for his 2021 campaign in the capital.

Mr Bailey is understood to have left before the video was taken.

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He has recently been given a peerage, adding to him to the House of Lords, in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours – approved by Downing Street.

Mr Mallet was given an OBE in the same honours list.

The Mirror previously released a photo from the party, which was subsequently investigated by police. No further action was taken at the time due to lack of evidence.