LONDON (Reuters), – British Prime Minster Boris Johnson came under fire Wednesday following a video that showed his staff laughing and joking about how to explain a Downing Street event during a COVID Lockdown, last Christmas.

Johnson and his ministers denied there were any violations of rules at the late 2020 gatherings. The Mirror however reported that Johnson was speaking at a leaving party and that Johnson’s team enjoyed a wine-fueled gathering with 40-50 people.

However, the video was aired on ITV (LON :), Allegra Struton was Johnson’s press secretary at that time. They were seen together laughing about and attending a 2020 Downing Street daily briefing.

This furore is occurring as the government weighs whether to place new restrictions on public access to combat the Omicron coronavirus variant Omicron.

This accusation follows a series of scandals which have led to opposition politicians accusing the Johnson government of corruption and cronyism, as well as acting like rules don’t apply.

In the video, a Johnson adviser asks Stratton: “I’ve just seen reports on Twitter (NYSE:) that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night — do you recognise those reports?”

Stratton is seen standing in front of British flags on an official Downing Street podium. She chuckles and then says, “I’m going home!” She smiles, laughs, and then turns her head.

“”Hold on. Hold on. Um. Er. Arh.” Arh.”

The newspapers were generally critical.

The Daily Mail headline, Britain’s most popular newspaper, read “A sick joke.” “No. Metro. According to The Guardian, “PM charged with lying after the No.10 team film jokingly about party.”

Roger Gale of the Conservative Party said that, if the House of Commons was deliberately misled by the party it would lead to resignation.

Keir starmer, leader of the Labour Party opposition, stated that the video insulted those who followed lockdown regulations, when this meant they would be separated from families for Christmas.

They had every right to expect the government would do the same. Starmer made the statement in which he said that lying and laughing about such lies was unacceptable. Starmer stated that the prime minister should now be honest and offer an apology.

Ian Blackford, of the Scottish National Party (the second-biggest opposition group in parliament), called on Johnson to resign.