Former Chiswick School Pupil at Centre of Partygate Row
Allegra Stratton filmed joking about event at Number 10
Still from video clip of mock press conference on party
Former Chiswick School pupil, Allegra Stratton, has found herself at the centre of the controversy over the Christmas party that took place at Downing Street.
In a video clip released by ITV she is seen joking with colleagues in what appears to be a practice to deal with press questions about the event on 18 December 2020.
Ms Stratton starts by saying that she left early before admitting that the event had not been socially distanced. Many people have concluded that the clip proves that the even was a party and that Downing Street staff were aware it would be controversial if it became public knowledge.
The release of the video has resulted in the Prime Minister making an apology in parliament about the ‘impression’ the clip made and promising that the Cabinet Secretary would be investigating the matter. There are unconfirmed reports that a number of other Christmas events were held in Downing Street during the height of the lockdown last year.
She stood down from her role as an advisor to the Prime Minister this Wednesday afternoon (8 December). In a tearful statement to the press she said, "My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention. I will regret those remarks for the rest of my days and I offer my profound apologies for all of you at home."
She added, “Working in government is an immense privilege. I tried to do right by you all, to behave with civility and decency and up to the high standards you expect of Number 10.”
Allegra Stratton making her resignation statement
Ms Stratton is fondly remembered at Chiswick School where she was reported to be a keen student and good hockey player. She later attended Latymer Upper School before going on to Cambridge. After working as Robert Peston’s ‘sidekick’ on his TV show she became Downing Street Press Secretary .
She is married to James Forsyth, Political Editor of The Spectator magazine and the couple live in north London with their two children.
This is not the only Chiswick connection with the controversy. During a trail for an episode of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly mock the government’s earlier claim that no party had taken place with Dec saying at the end, "Evening Prime minister... for now."
This was mention at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday with the Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer saying, "It’s obvious what was happening.
"Ant and Cec are ahead of the Prime Minister on this.
"The Prime Minister has been caught red-handed..."
The Prime Minister, who was not at the event that took place on 18 December 2020, said that he had been assured that Covid-19 guidelines had been followed in holding the event.
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December 8, 2021