Partygate video revellers at Tory HQ Christmas bash in Covid lockdown identified
The Tories are engulfed in a fresh Partygate crisis after the Mirror uncovered footage showing staff boozing, dancing and mocking lockdown laws at the height of Covid.
The bombshell video - the first to emerge from any of the Westminster parties - captures officials joking about the rule-bending bash at the Conservative Campaign HQ.
At least 24 revellers were at the Christmas do and, shockingly, they include two named on ex-PM Boris Johnson's controversial resignation honours list.
Scotland Yard has said it is reviewing the video of the raucous knees up held on December 14, 2020 - as large swathes of the UK were barred from socialising indoors.
Families who lost loved ones in the pandemic accused Tory aides filmed twirling each other around in the footage of “dancing on the graves of those who died”.
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Do you recognise any of the other partygoers? Email [email protected]
At least 24 revellers were at the Christmas do including two named on ex-PM Boris Johnson's controversial resignation honours listIn a grovelling apology on live television, Cabinet minister Michael Gove described the video as "terrible" and “unacceptable”.
Here we look at some of those who were at the party.
Shaun Bailey
Shaun Bailey was the Conservative Party's candidate for London mayor (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)The event in the basement of Tory HQ was organised by the campaign team of Shaun Bailey, who was the party’s candidate for London mayor at the time.
When the Mirror first published a picture of the gathering two years ago, Mr Bailey apologised "unreservedly" for the event and resigned as chair of the London Assembly's police and crime committee.
He tweeted: "I gave a speech to my team to thank them... it was a serious error of judgment at a time when Londoners were making immense sacrifices to keep us all safe and I regret it wholeheartedly."
Despite controversy, Mr Bailey was handed a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list a week ago. He is now facing pressure not to take up his place in the House of Lords.
Mr Bailey does not appear in the new video and it is understood he had left the party before the footage was taken.
Ben Mallet
Ben Mallet was handed an OBE as part of Boris Johnson's resignation honours
He was seen in the Partygate video wearing festive braces and holding a glass of red wineOne of the Tories who does feature in the video is Ben Mallet, who was awarded an OBE in Mr Johnson's list. Mr Mallet, filmed holding a glass of red wine and wearing festive braces, was the Tories' campaign director for the 2021 London mayoral election.
He now runs the campaign of Moz Hossain, who wants to stand in next year's mayoral race.
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Mr Hossain has refused to say whether Mr Mallet will remain in charge of his campaign following the publication of the video.
Mr Mallet is friends with Carrie Johnson and served as strategy director on Mr Johnson’s successful 2019 Tory leadership campaign.
Malin Bogue and Jack Smith
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 foodIn the video, a 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.
The unsteady pair twirl each other around to the sounds of The Pogues' Fairytale of New York.
The woman, who is wearing a red dress, is Malin Bogue.
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 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 Mr Bailey’s campaign team when the video was shot. Mr Smith was head of social media.
Nick Candy
Property tycoon Nick Candy is married to former Neighbours actress and pop star Holly Valance (PA)Billionaire Tory donor and property developer Nick Candy also attended the party and could be seen wearing a grey suit jacket in the picture that emerged two years ago. However, he does not appear in the new video.
The tycoon is married to former Neighbours actress and pop star Holly Valance.
He and his brother Christian were behind the luxury One Hyde Park development.
One of the penthouses became Britain’s most expensive home when he bought it for himself for £160million. Last year, he unsuccessfully bid to buy Chelsea Football Club.
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