Boris Johnson is facing fresh pressure today after a picture emerged showing him taking part in a quiz at Downing Street while strict coronavirus rules were in effect last December.
The picture, published by the Mirror, shows Mr Johnson reading out questions, sitting beside two members of his senior team.
None of the three were drinking, but the Mirror reports staff elsewhere in Downing Street were 'huddled by computers' and drinking while they participated in the quiz.
The quiz is said to have taken place on December 15th 2020 - a date when indoor social mixing was banned in London under COVID restrictions.
That date was also three days before a controversial Christmas party is said to have taken place in Downing Street.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the quiz took place, bit insisted Mr Johnson was only involved "briefly".
A statement said: "This was a virtual quiz. Downing Street staff were often required to be in the office to work on the pandemic response so those who were in the office for work may have attended virtually from their desks.
"The prime minister briefly took part virtually in a quiz to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year."
Senior Labour politicians have sharply criticised the prime minister following the emergence of the picture, with the party saying he's "unfit to lead our country".
Despite repeated denials, it now transpires that there were numerous parties, gatherings and the Prime Minister even took part in a festive quiz.
Boris Johnson presided over a culture of disregarding the rules at the heart of government. https://t.co/oXUBb62UPO— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) December 11, 2021
Speaking on BBC this morning, Labour leader Keir Starmer said it "looks like" Boris Johnson was breaking the law.
He said: "It's very hard to see how that was compliant with the rules.
"He must have known that other groups were in other rooms in his own building.
"He has damaged his authority: he is now so weak, his party is so divided... he can't deliver the leadership this country needs."
Mr Starmer said this is just one of a few allegations about social events held last year, and the facts now need to be established.
He stopped short of calling for the prime minister to resign, but said trust in Mr Johnson is now "at an all-time low".
It comes as a UK government investigation into what happened last December 18th is ongoing.
A number of Boris Johnson's own Conservative Party MPs are among those who've voiced their fury over the situation.
Meanwhile, MPs are due to vote in the coming days on new restrictions to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
UK media reports that dozens of Conservative MPs are against the proposals, which include the use of vaccine passports for large venues and the return of mask-wearing in most indoor settings.
