Phillip Schofield blasts Government over Downing Street Christmas party claims: ‘Taking us for a bunch of mugs’

Phillip Schofield and This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby criticised the Government after a video emerged which referred to an alleged Christmas party at Downing Street late last year.

The This Morning hosts chatted to The Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey and LBC’s Nick Ferrari over some of the biggest news stories of the day.

Of course, the story at the top of the list was the leak of a video obtained by ITV News, which showed Number 10 staff joking over an alleged Christmas party held at Downing Street.

The footage shows former press secretary Allegra Stratton answering questions at a mock press conference on December 22 about a party the previous Friday – the date of the alleged rule-breaking gathering last year.

Host Phillip was quick to give his thoughts as he reminded viewers of the guidance from last year.

He explained: ‘Under Tier 3 [restrictions] no one could have a gathering which consisted of two or more people and took place in any indoor space.

Phillip said: ‘Are you seriously taking us for a bunch of mugs?’ as they discussed the story (Picture: ITV)

‘The Government’s own guidance made clear people must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where there is primarily social activity.

‘You look at this and think, are you seriously taking us for a bunch of mugs?’ he asked.

‘Well, you feel like a mug, don’t you?’ Camilla weighed in.

Camilla agreed with Phillip’s comment (Picture: ITV)

‘I wish I’d seen my parents last Christmas, there wasn’t anything wrong with them in health, and some didn’t see loved ones that were actually dying in hospital,’ she added.

Continuing to voice his anger of the situation, Phillip said: ‘Let me put this another way, when we hear reports there may be restrictions coming in – possibly slightly wider restrictions – at Christmas, does the Prime Minister and his party honestly assume that any of us are going to take any notice?

The host questioned why anyone would now follow the rules (Picture: ITV)

‘No, well why would we?’ Camilla agreed.

Moments earlier, Holly also made clear her frustration whilst the duo discussed the news with Robert Peston.

Holly remarked: ‘It’s so tone-deaf of what the rest of the country was going through.’

On Wednesday morning’s breakfast programmes, ministers were a no-show from their usual slots, in which they answer questions from the respective shows’ presenters.

Addressing the absence of a Conservative politician on BBC Breakfast, host John Kay said: ‘This is the shot of our Westminster studio we would normally show you at this time, it will be very familiar to you.

‘But as you can see, there’s nobody there today.’

Ministers were also absent from ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Sky News’ breakfast show presented by Kay Burley, with no minister opting to take questions on either programme.

More: Holly Willoughby

Speaking to viewers about the no-show, GMB host Adil Ray said: ‘We are still waiting for somebody from the Government to turn up today, aren’t we?’

His co-star Susanna Reid replied: ‘We certainly are, the 8:30 slot is still available.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

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MORE : Who is Allegra Stratton and what did she say about the Downing Street Christmas party?

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