Identities of Partygate video couple who danced past 'keep your distance' sign

18 June 2023 , 11:09

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The identities of the dancing couple in the Mirror’s bombshell Partygate video can be revealed.

Shocking footage shows the pair twirling around Conservative HQ during lockdown when socialising indoors was banned.

The revellers are former Boris Johnson campaign aide Malin Bogue and Jack Smith, who works in Parliament for a Tory minister.

In the video, taken shortly before Christmas 2020 when many people were stopped from seeing their families, the couple dance past a sign saying "Please keep your distance".

The footage shows them knocking over wine glasses as they spiral into a table laden with buffet food.

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Identities of Partygate video couple who danced past 'keep your distance' sign

Jack Smith and Malin Bogue danced around Conservative HQ during lockdown

The pair knocked over wine glasses as they spiralled into a table laden with buffet food

The unsteady pair twirl each other around to the sounds of The Pogues' Fairytale of New York.

Ms Bogue, an American who is the daughter of a wealthy businessman from San Francisco, was director of special projects on Mr Johnson’s successful 2019 Conservative leadership bid.

She now works for lobbying firm Stonehaven as a senior consultant.

Mr Smith is a parliamentary aide to Tory energy minister Graham Stuart.

The pair were working on the campaign team of then Conservative London Mayor candidate Shaun Bailey when the video was shot on December 14, 2020. Mr Smith was head of social media.

Malin Bogue is the daughter of a wealthy businessman from San Francisco

The Metropolitan Police previously investigated the gathering but closed its probe without issuing any fines after concluding there was insufficient evidence.

Scotland Yard is now under pressure to look again in light of the new video.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted the video of Tory Party staff dancing and joking about Covid restrictions during the height of the pandemic was "terrible" and “unacceptable”.

The minister told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: "I want to apologise to everyone who, looking at that ... will think these people are flouting the rules designed to protect us all."

He added: “The fact that this was happening at the height of the pandemic when the virus was spreading and people were observing significant rules in order to make sure they protected others.

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Malin Bogue now works for lobbying firm Stonehaven as a senior consultant (Stonehaven Global)

She previously worked on Boris Johnson's 2019 Tory leadership campaign (AFP via Getty Images)

“The fact that this party went ahead is indefensible. The people who were there I'm sure feel contrite, I certainly hope they do.”

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said the footage shows Tories "openly mocked the rules the British people followed" while Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said it should make ministers "sick to their stomachs".

"Revellers at this lockdown Tory booze-up openly mocked the rules the British people followed. The Tories think it's one rule for them and one rule for everyone else," Mrs Rayner said.

"Instead of forcing them to face the consequences, Rishi Sunak has caved into Boris Johnson's demands and chosen to reward them with honours. It's a sickening insult.

"This Prime Minister is failing to deliver the integrity he promised and showing he's too weak to turn the page on 13 years of Tory scandal."

Ms Cooper said: "Conservative MPs and ministers should be sick to their stomachs seeing this new Partygate footage.