U.K. government spokeswoman Allegra Stratton resigned from her post Wednesday morning following backlash to a leaked a video in which the then-press secretary jokes about holding an alleged Christmas party in the face of 2020 lockdown restrictions, BBC News reports. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had, for the last week, been denying reports that such a party took place, but his story "appeared to weaken" when the suggestive video surfaced late Tuesday, writes The New York Times.
"My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey," Stratton said during her tearful resignation. "That was never my intention. I will regret those remarks for the rest of my days, and I offer my profound apologies to all of you at home for them."
Again, though Downing Street has denied that a 2020 Christmas party took place, it "has not denied that there was an event of some kind," writes the Times. Johnson has insisted that any gathering was in compliance with COVID protocols, and initial reports suggest he himself was not in attendance.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier Wednesday, during his weekly question-and-answer session in Parliament, Johnson apologized for the video, which he said left him "sickened" and "furious," though he continued to insist his staff assured him the "rules were not broken." He added that he is launching an investigation into the situation.
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
What to do if you want to move but don't want to give up your low mortgage ratethe explainer 30-year mortgage rates are currently averaging 7% — and homeowners who secured rates closer to 3% during the pandemic are reluctant to sell their homes
-
Crossword: September 1, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revoltSpeed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich throwerSpeed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodusSpeed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official saysSpeed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judgesSpeed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policingSpeed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa CookSpeed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportationSpeed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
