‘They partied, we paid’: Every Tyne and Wear MP reacts to Downing Street party

Local MPs are reacting to the news of a Downing Street party that took place last December.

A video obtained by ITV shows staff joking about a Christmas Party that reportedly happened at Downing Street.

Former press secretary Allegra Stratton was asked how she would respond to questions about the party at a practice press conference in the video.

Stratton joked that "this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced".

A video has also emerged of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg joking about the same party.

The politician spoke at this year's Christmas party for the Institute of Economic Affairs.

He said: "I see we're all here obeying regulations, aren't we?

"I mean, this party is not going to be investigated by the police in a year's time.

"You are all very carefully socially distanced... we have moved, I am pleased to tell you, from the metric back to the Imperial system: I notice you are all at least two inches away from each other which is, as I understand it, what the regulations require."

Downing Street is insisting that the apparent party, which is thought to have involved 40 to 50 people at No. 10, did not happen.

Newcastle MPs have been reacting to the news as fallout from the surfaced videos continues.

Chi Onwurah MP, Newcastle Central

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah quoted fellow Labour MP Angela Rayner and said: "They partied, we paid. Perfectly put."

Catherine McKinnell MP, Newcastle North

Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell wrote: "When no one in Govt can face public scrutiny as there’s nothing they can say to put things right, for the sake of the country surely it’s time the Prime Minister considered his position, did the honourable thing (for the first time ever), and resign? This rot comes from the top."

Liz Twist MP, Blaydon

Blaydon MP Liz Twist said: "This is appalling, at a time when people were doing what they can to keep vulnerable people across our country safe.

"Dominic Cummings, Matt Hancock and now the Prime Minister, there is a pattern here from the Government, one rule for them and another for the rest of us!"

Bridget Phillipson MP, Houghton and Sunderland South BC

Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson said: "Last year the country was in lockdown, schools were weighing up whether to close, and children had missed months of school.

"But the Department for Education didn’t have a plan.

“They had a party."

Kate Osborne MP, Jarrow

Jarrow MP Kate Osborne said: "Downing Street held a Christmas party whilst they told us all to stay at home.

"Once again it’s one rule for us and another for them.

"@BorisJohnson doesn’t just need to apologise, he needs to seriously consider his position."

Mary Glindon MP, North Tyneside

North Tyneside MP Mary Glindon also retweeted Angela Rayner's message of, "They partied, we paid".

Emma Lewell-Buck MP, South Shields

South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck said: "On Monday I asked the Health Secretary if the upcoming #CovidInquiry would include scrutiny of misconduct in public office.

"They cancelled Christmas for us, threw a party for themselves then laughed whilst lying about it. This Govt are an utter disgrace."

Julie Elliott MP, Sunderland Central

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliot shared messages posted by Wes Streeting MP saying "they’re lying to you and now they’re avoiding you" and Bridget Phillipson's above message.

Ian Mearns MP, Gateshead

Gateshead MP Ian Mearns told Newcastle World: “It is clear to me that the Prime Minister, apart from being totally divorced from the living experience of millions of constituents and their concerns, is also becoming increasingly divorced from reality and sadly, from the truth!”

Sharon Hodgson MP, Washington and Sunderland West

Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson shared a series of critical tweets online, featuring those posted by the Labour Party, Gary Lineker and Angela Rayner.

The following MPs are yet to share thoughts publicly on social media, but have been asked for comment:

Alan Campbell MP, Tynemouth

Nick Brown MP, Newcastle East