Former London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has apologised “unreservedly” after a video emerged of his workers partying in lockdown.
The Tory additionally stated it was for “others to decide” about whether or not he ought to lose the peerage supplied to him by former prime minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Bailey stated he was “very upset” to see the footage of staff on his mayoral marketing campaign dancing and mingling on 14 December 2020 whereas London was in Tier 2 of COVID restrictions.
Both him and Tory aide Ben Mallet, who was handed an OBE in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours, attended the gathering.
MPs debating Boris Johnson partygate report – politics newest
Mr Bailey – who was operating to exchange Sadiq Khan within the 2021 contest – had beforehand been pictured on the occasion however was not seen in the latest footage.
Speaking to reporters in Westminster on Monday, Mr Bailey stated he had by no means seen the video and that the occasion “obviously turned into something once I left and I didn’t realise that”.
Asked if he thought the footage was acceptable, he replied: “It isn’t – I’m not saying it is for a second.”
And pressed on whether or not the British public deserved an apology, he stated: “Unreservedly – I apologised then and I apologise now.
“It was a staff team that were given to me, but the buck stops with me.”
The footage, obtained by The Mirror, confirmed Mr Bailey’s workers partying whereas Tier 2 restrictions have been in place.
The Mirror beforehand launched a photograph from the occasion, which was subsequently investigated by police. No additional motion was taken on the time as a result of lack of proof.
However, the police have stated they’re “considering” the newly-revealed video.
COVID guidelines on the time stated there must be no mixing of households indoors, aside from help bubbles, whereas solely six folks have been allowed to fulfill – socially distanced – exterior.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Leaked footage of rule-breaking bash
In complete, 24 folks have been on the occasion at Tory marketing campaign HQ – greater than the quantity allowed at a wake.
In the video, one man is heard asking: “Are you filming this?”, whereas one other responds: “It’s for party, erm, party use.”
There has been additional outrage at the truth that Mr Bailey was given a peerage in Mr Johnson’s controversial resignation honours listing.
Meanwhile, Mr Mallet, who helped run Zac Goldsmith’s marketing campaign to be London mayor in 2016, is seen within the video laughing with colleagues, and a voice is then heard saying: “What do you think of this?”
Asked whether or not Mr Bailey ought to surrender his peerage in gentle of the video of his workers, he replied: “That will be for others to decide – for me, it has been a great privilege and I would like to keep doing work for the rest of the country and London as well.”
The video has additionally been criticised by plenty of Conservatives, together with Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who admitted it was “terrible” and “completely out of order”.
Read extra:
Analysis: Sunak must clear the air
Starmer says Johnson must be banned from parliament
On Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Gove was repeatedly pressed on whether or not it was applicable for Mr Bailey and Mr Mallet to have been given honours.
The cupboard minister stated the present guidelines – {that a} resigning prime minister can honour who they need – shouldn’t be interfered with.
He added {that a} debate on altering the principles was “well worth having”, however that “procedure” must be adopted for the second and those that broke restrictions ought to nonetheless be given gongs.
Content Source: information.sky.com