HITCHIN: Hitchin MP Bim Afolami says he did not attend any No10 parties that have caused a public backlash.

PM Boris Johnson and his aides have repeatedly denied that the event, reportedly held for staff at No 10 in December last year, broke Covid rules or even took place at all.

The government is facing an angry backlash from people up and down the country including Hitchin after a video emerged showing senior Downing Street aides joking about lockdown rules and a Christmas party held at Downing Street.

In a leaked video of a discussion held before an official televised press briefing in the same room Johnson announced tighter Covid restrictions today [Wednesday, December 8], an adviser to Johnson is seen joking with Allegra Stratton, the prime minister's then press secretary, about 'a Downing Street Christmas party'.

While Johnson said on Wednesday that he 'apologises unreservedly for the offence that [the video] has caused' as well as 'for the impression that it gives', he still claimed that, as far as he was aware, no party took place, adding there would be an investigation into the issue.

Speaking to Hitchin Nub News, Mr Afolami categorically denied he was present, saying: "I myself did not attend any party at Downing Street, and I have taken at face value Number 10 Press Office's statements that no rules were broken.

"If that is proved to be incorrect, then an investigation should take place."