London was at that time in tier three restrictions, the legislation for which can be read here.123 There are now reports that the Downing Street Christmas party held on 18 December 2020, first revealed by the Daily Mirror last week, was well known throughout Downing Street, and in particular by the prime minister’s then spokesperson Allegra Stratton.4 Footage leaked to ITV News, dating from 20 December 2020, shows Stratton laughing and joking with Downing Street colleagues about how they would handle media questions about the party.5 BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweeted that party attendees told her they’d been invited to attend by Downing Street political staff, as well as by civil servants.6 Demonstrable untruths Downing Street spokespeople, cabinet ministers, Conservative MPs, and the prime minister have spent the past week since the Mirror story appeared denying that there was a party in Downing Street, while also claiming that, if there had been a party, all rules were followed. [...]at last night’s Downing Street briefing, the prime minister stated, “as far as I’m aware, and to the best of my knowledge, we followed the rules throughout … even on 18 December last year.” Downing Street staff shown joking in leaked recording about Christmas party they later denied. 2021. https://www.itv.com/news/2021-12-07/no-10-staff-joke-in-leaked-recording-about-christmas-party-they-later-denied 6 Kuenssberg L. Twitter. https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1468585042607759362 7 Waterson J. How Allegra Stratton’s struggles kept press briefing project off air. 2021.