The party is said to have taken place on 18 December, when London was under “Tier 3” lockdown restrictions, meaning people were not allowed to mingle indoors with anyone outside their home or support bubble.
According to CNN affiliate ITV, the recording is of a mock press briefing on December 22, 2020, four days after the incident was alleged.
It featured Allegra Stratton, the then Prime Minister’s press secretary, jokingly when asked by a fellow Number 10 official about reports of a Christmas party. She laughs, says she “went home” then says “this imaginary party was a business meeting and it wasn’t social distancing.”
Johnson said on Wednesday that he tendered an unconditional apology for the offense caused by the leaked video.
He told the prime minister’s questions in parliament: “I understand and share the anger above and below the country, seeing the number 10 staff shine a light on the lockdown measures.
“I can understand how indignant it must be to think that those who are setting the rules are not following the rules, Mr Speaker, because I too was furious after watching that clip. I was guilty of that crime. I apologize unreservedly for what it has done. It has brought the nation up and down and the impact it has had.”
Johnson said he has been reassured repeatedly since reports surfaced last year of a Downing Street Christmas party that there was no party and no Covid rules were broken.
“I have asked the cabinet secretary to establish the facts and report back at the earliest. And sir, it goes without saying that if those rules are broken, there will be disciplinary action for everyone involved.”
Since the video emerged, Downing Street has reiterated that “there was no Christmas party and coronavirus rules were followed at all times.”
CNN sought comment from Stratton but had not received a response at the time of publication. CNN also reached out to several government officials for comment but did not respond.
Responding to the video, Britain’s opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer told parliament that Johnson had been “caught red-handed.”
“Why doesn’t he just accept and end the investigation now?” Starr said.
“No Zoom was dreaming of Christmas, turkey dinner for one, exchanging gifts at service stations. But the virus was out of control… so the British people put the health of others above their own and followed the rules. Isn’t the prime minister ashamed that his Downing Street couldn’t do it?” Starr said.
According to the government dashboard, on 18 December 2020, the day of the alleged Downing Street party, the UK reported 514 Covid deaths.
Ian Blackford, Westminster leader of the Scottish National Party, called for Johnson’s resignation.
“It is time for the members of this House that they should be removed if they do not govern,” he said.
Labor Party legislator David Lamy tweeted: “When people lost their lives, No. 10 ran. While people stuck to the rules, No. 10 broke them. While the nation suffered, they joked. It’s absolutely sick.” They are laughing at all of us. This is one rule for them and the other for the rest of us.”
A legislator from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party, Tobias Ellwood, told the BBC on Wednesday that the government needs to show that “it takes [the criticism] Seriously” and move on to the story.
Another Conservative MP, Charles Walker, told Times Radio on Wednesday: “I think now, going forward, any [coronavirus] Remedy will be advisory. I think it will be very difficult to bring them into law and then once again ask our poor police forces to implement them,” after the video emerged.
CNN’s Niamh Kennedy and Amy Cassidy contributed to this report.
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