Tories face new police probe over lockdown party video

THE Tories face the threat of a new Partygate police probe as unseen footage shows staff boozing, dancing and mocking lockdown laws at the height of Covid

- JOHN STEVENS and MIKEY SMITH

A bombshell video - the first to emerge from any of the Westminster parties captures officials joking about the rule-bending bash at the Conservative Campaign HQ.

At least 24 revellers were there and, shockingly, they include two named on ex-PM Boris Johnson's controversial resignation honours list.

In the footage - which is available exclusively on our website - two dancers even twirl past a sign saying "Please keep your distance". It will infuriate families who lost relatives in Covid and will reignite criticism of Mr Johnson just days after he was slammed for misleading MPs over parties at No10. This knees-up was held on December 14, 2020-as large swathes of the UK were barred from socialising indoors.

A widely seen picture of the London bash formed part of a Met Police probe last year. The force had only still he force had only images to go on and found insufficient evidence of law breaking - and no fines were issued.

But the damning video throws new light on the affair and the Met says it will assess whether it could be material to an inquiry.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "Revellers openly mocked the rules the British people followed. The Tories think it's one rule for them and one rule for everyone else. Instead of forcing them to face the consequences, Rishi Sunak has caved into Johnson and chosen to reward them with honours. It's a sickening insult."

The party was organised by the campaign team of then London Mayor candidate Shaun Bailey - now Lord Bailey after Mr Johnson made him a peer in his honours list.