A CONSERVATIVE MP says she “did not attend any Christmas parties” last year after leaked footage emerged showing government aides joking about a festive gathering.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a backlash after Number 10 officials joked about a party in Downing Street during a time of strict Covid-19 restrictions.

In the footage, obtained by ITV News, 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.

Conservative MP for Lewes Maria Caulfield has denied any involvement with the alleged gathering.

“I did not attend any Christmas parties last year,” she told The Argus.

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

The Argus: MP for Lewes Maria Caulfield MP for Lewes Maria Caulfield

After leaving school, Ms Caulfield became an NHS nurse and went on to specialise in cancer research.

She has previously worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Around 40 to 50 people allegedly 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.

Mr Johnson has insisted that Covid rules were followed, although on Tuesday avoided questions about whether or not a party had taken place.

The Metropolitan Police said they are aware of the footage in relation to alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions.

In the footage, Ms Stratton says: "This fictional party was a business meeting... and it was not socially distanced."

One aide was also heard saying: "It wasn't a party, it was cheese and wine."

Labour MP for Hove Peter Kyle has accused the government of "laughing at all of us" and said that "they think the rules are for everyone else but them."

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, suggested the Prime Minister should resign if the allegations prove to be true, and said the latest government controversy was "worse than Hancock or Barnard Castle".

She said: "The Prime Minister allowed his staff to party in Downing Street as ordinary people were charged by police for gathering, as millions cancelled Christmas and some died without family to hold them.

"If true, this is a clear-cut resignation matter."