Skip to content

Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout

Allegra Stratton has resigned as a government adviser following an angry backlash over a video of No 10 staff joking about holding a Christmas party.

Boris Johnson says he’s ‘furious’ about the video and has launched an investigation into whether rules were broken.

But we’ve known for a week that a Christmas party was held in Downing Street last December.

Ros Atkins explains.

Produced by Michael Cox

9 December 2021

Coronavirus lockdown measures

Allegra Stratton

Explore More

Woman in hooded coat at farmer protest in Westminster

Watch: Young farmers on why they're protesting

Rachel Reeves

Watch: Reeves 'deeply proud' to be first female chancellor

Angela Rayner

Rayner 'will miss' Dowden 'battle of the gingers' exchanges

Luke Davies has been homeless in Bridgend county since he was released from jail

Rats ate my tent and soap, says homeless prisoner

Boris Johnson wearing a suit and headphones speaking into a mic in a BBC radio studio

Watch: Fiery exchange as Boris Johnson asked if he is a 'liar'

Smoking in beer gardens could be banned

Should smoking outside pubs be banned?

Mum and daughter

What is the two-child benefit cap?

King Chalres

Labour's first King's Speech: What happened in 60 seconds

Calls to scrap the two-child welfare benefit were made in a TV debate

Next UK government urged to end child benefit cap

Marjorie Taylor Green and Anthony Fauci

'You're mister, not doctor': Fauci grilled by Taylor Greene

Tink Llewellyn explains the basics of the general election

What happens in a general election?

Jeremy Hunt at the House of Commons with a smaller photo inset of BBC News journalist Gareth Lewis

What does the Budget announcement mean for Wales?

Dr Roland Salmon

Expert criticises supermarket and pub Covid rules

Michael Gove

Watch: 'Who broke housing system?' Gove asked

Dog wearing a Wales rugby scare with his snout held high as he howls

Watch dog's barking rendition of the Welsh anthem

Michael Gove

Personalities do matter in politics, says Gove

Liz Lloyd and Nicola Sturgeon

Sturgeon called Johnson a 'clown' in expletive-laden text

Ione Wells

Watch: Why Sunak’s Rwanda bill battle isn’t over

House of Commons

Watch: Moment Sunak wins Rwanda vote

Keir Starmer

Watch: The charade continues on Rwanda - Starmer

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.