JACOB Rees-Mogg has been caught joking about the No10 lockdown Christmas party fiasco in a second leaked video.
A police probe has been launched into the alleged boozy bash in No10 last December as London was plunged into strict Tier 3 restrictions.
Just days later Tier 4 was introduced – cancelling Christmas for millions of heartbroken Brits.
Commons leader Rees-Mogg has now been filmed joking about the lockdown-busting party in the latest embarrassment for Boris Johnson.
While giving a speech this year at the Institute of Economic Affairs’ Christmas party, he referenced the police investigation into last year’s bash.
The Tory MP said: “I see we’re all here obeying regulations, aren’t we?
“I mean, this party is not going to be investigated by the police in a year’s time.
“You are all very carefully socially distanced… we have moved, I am pleased to tell you, from the metric back to the Imperial system: I notice you are all at least two inches away from each other which is, as I understand it, what the regulations require.”
The latest video will be another slap in the face for Boris, who has already been forced to issue one grovelling apology today.
The under-fire PM told the Commons he was sorry about damning footage of senior No10 staff joking about the banned bash.
It showed advisor Allegra Stratton in the £2.5million room where recent Covid press conferences have been held during the pandemic.
She can be seen laughing about the “fictional party” being a business meeting, adding: “It was not socially distanced”.
Boris said today he “shared the anger” of millions of people upon seeing the video and stressed: “I was also furious to see that clip.”
The PM, flanked by Rishi Sunak and Brandon Lewis, said: “I apologise unreservedly for the offence it has caused up and down the country, and the impression that it gives.”
But he insisted again he has been told that there was “no party” and he thinks all the rules were followed.
‘REPULSED’
No10 also doubled down on claims the party did not happen and says Covid rules “have been followed at all times”.
But pressure is now mounting on embattled Boris – with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer calling on him to “come clean and apologise”.
Even his own Cabinet appear to be turning on the party as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he was left “repulsed” and “angry” by the clip.
He said: “It was a pretty miserable time for most of us around the United Kingdom.
“Many people couldn’t see their loved ones. Many people couldn’t go to work or fulfil what they wanted to do.
“I know that the Prime Minister will be determined to take any action is necessary.”
It also comes just days after former education secretary Gavin Williamson was dragged into his own Christmas party scandal.
The Department of Education admitted they held a social gathering for staff despite the rules and said in hindsight they should have cancelled the event.
A Met Police spokesman said: “We are aware of footage obtained by ITV News relating to alleged breaches of the Health Protection Regulations at a Government building in December 2020.
“It is our policy not to routinely investigate retrospective breaches of the Covid 19 regulations, however the footage will form part of our considerations.”
