BORIS Johnson has apologised after a video was leaked showing Downing Street staff joking about an alleged lockdown Christmas party.

Around 40 to 50 people reportedly attended the gathering in a room at Number 10 on December 18 last year.

Just two days earlier, London had been put into Tier 3 of Covid restrictions, which prevented mixing indoors with people not in your household.

The Prime Minister has received a backlash after the footage emerged showing government officials laughing about a festive gathering during a time of strict Covid-19 restrictions.

In the footage, the alleged party is referred to as a "business meeting" and a "cheese and wine" event by Mr Johnson’s then-press secretary Allegra Stratton and adviser Ed Oldfield.

Mr Johnson has insisted that Covid rules were followed.

In response to the video, The Argus asked all 13 Conservative MPs in Sussex whether they attended the alleged Christmas party.

This is how they responded.

Crawley MP Henry Smith

Failed to respond.

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield

“I did not attend any Christmas parties last year.

“I gave up my time over the Christmas period last year to work on the Covid wards.”

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton

Failed to respond.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley

Failed to respond.

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman

“I can certainly assure you that I was not at this alleged event, or any other party event for that matter.

“I’m as frustrated as you are because I have been given no details as to what this event was.

“I have therefore suggested to Government managers, and before this video circulated, that they give me more detail as to what this event was, and what it was not.

“I struggle to see how any event which is attended by the numbers suggested can be within the rules but, as mentioned above, I need to be given more information so I can better assess it myself.

“What I will say about the Prime Minister is that he is not a fan of leaving those who work for him to be hung out to dry.

“Whilst this is an admirable quality, the need for transparency is greater and I very much hope to be able to respond more adequately when I have more information myself.

“It’s important that we lead from the front and set the right example.

“We cannot expect people to abide by the rules if those who set them are suspected of breaching.

“I expect No 10 to explain what happened and, if the rules were broken, to apologise and take action.

“I am sorry that this matter has come up.”

Horsham MP Jeremy Quin

Failed to respond.

Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies

Failed to respond.

Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart

“I was not invited to a party at No 10 on December 18 last year, nor did I attend any such party.

“I do not wish to make any comment or jump to any conclusions until the inquiry undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary is completed to establish the facts.”

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell

Failed to respond.

Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith

Failed to respond.

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb

Failed to respond.

Chichester MP Gillian Keegan

Failed to respond.

Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani

Failed to respond.