PM Johnson Holds Quiz During Christmas Party 2020 Amid COVID-19 Restrictions, Downing Street: It's Virtual

JAKARTA - A photo of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosting a Christmas quiz party at No. 10 Downing Street, the UK PM's official residence, last year, allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions at the time was published by British newspaper The Mirror.

In the photo, PM Johnson is pictured on a screen, where he is seen in his office sitting close to two other people, reading out questions, according to The Mirror, citing CNN Dec. 13.

CNN has not independently verified details about the quiz party, which the Mirror says took place on December 15. A Downing Street spokesman said it was a "virtual quiz" and PM Johnson briefly took part virtually "to thank staff.

While the photo shows PM Johnson with just two other people, a source told the Mirror, "many staff huddled around the computer, conferring questions and refusing liquor, wine and beer," a claim that has not been independently verified by CNN.

According to official guidelines at the time, "despite exceptions for work purposes, you may not have a lunch or Christmas party at work, where it is a major social activity and is not permitted by the rules at your level."

London was under Tier 2 restrictions at the time of the quiz, which said there should be no household mixing indoors, apart from so-called support bubbles, and a maximum of six people outside.

An internal investigation led by Cabinet Secretary PM Johnson, the UK's most senior civil servant, has taken place on three occasions over the past year; alleged Downing Street party on November 27; meeting at the Ministry of Education on December 10 and allegations on December 18 last.

After speaking with several officials, CNN has determined the social gathering was indeed to be held on two days, November 27 and December 18, confirming the Daily Mirror report that PM Johnson himself gave impromptu speeches on the first day. Sources also confirm reports, Santa's secret gifts were exchanged on December 18th.

However, PM Johnson and other top Conservatives have denied any rules were broken.

In response to the Mirror's report on the alleged December 15 quiz party, which was published late Saturday, a Downing Street spokesperson told CNN in a statement:

"This is a virtual quiz. Downing Street staff are often asked to be in the office working on the pandemic response so those in the office to work may have been present virtually from their desks," he said.

"The Prime Minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year," the spokesperson added.

Asked about Mirror's story on BBC's 'The Andrew Marr Show', Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested people could judge for themselves whether the rules were being violated, adding many Downing Street staff were unable to work from home as they responded to the national emergency.

"These are people working together. There's no drinking here. I don't think there's a rule against celebrating Christmas with tinsel or hats," he said.

"Ten to 15 minutes to thank the team working around the clock, on a virtual screen in a pub quiz, I think people can make their own decisions about that."

Separately, Labor leader Keir Starmer told the BBC's show the allegations about the quiz need to be investigated, but "it's very difficult to see how it fits into the rules."

Meanwhile, Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, tweeted that PM Johnson had "led a culture of rule-breaking at the heart of government."

"Despite repeated denials, it is now happening that there are multiple parties, meetings and the Prime Minister even taking part in festive quizzes," he added.

The Labor press office tweeted that on December 15 of last year, Starmer had written to PM Johnson, calling on him to urgently convene COBRA to discuss the worsening Covid situation. The UK Government Cobra Committee is a cross-departmental group that can be formed in a national emergency.

"Now we know, instead, the PM hosted a Christmas quiz in violation of Covid rules that night," the Labor Party tweeted, criticizing.

PM Johnson faced strong criticism on Wednesday after leaked video footage obtained by CNN affiliate ITV News showing senior Downing Street staffers joking about an alleged Christmas party on December 18 last year.

On December 17, the government had tweeted warning "You must not have lunch or Christmas parties at work, where it is a major social activity."

Meanwhile, responding to the allegations PM Johnson told the House of Commons on Wednesday, "I was furious to see the clip", adding, "I have been repeatedly reassured since these allegations surfaced that no party and no COVID rules were violated."

New claims appear Thursday and Friday. Jack Doyle, then deputy head of communications and now PM Johnson's chief press officer, addressed a gathering of "up to 50 people" at the Dec. 18 party and handed out joke award certificates to staff members, CNN affiliate ITV News reported on Thursday.

Downing Street and Doyle both declined to comment to CNN, while "there is an ongoing review."