24 June 2023 , 19:50
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The top Tory at the centre of the Partygate video row WAS at his campaign HQ while his team enjoyed a rule-breaking Christmas booze-up, we can reveal.
Shaun Bailey previously claimed he had “toodled off” to appear on the BBC’s Newsnight programme before the party was in full swing.
But our investigation brought to light time-stamped evidence that he remained in the same building for more than an hour after the Sunday Mirror’s exclusive footage was shot.
The video showed his team drinking, dancing and laughing about Covid regulations while indoor gatherings were banned in London due to soaring infections.
We have now established it was filmed at 7.50pm – as shown on two wristwatches worn by partygoers.
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Mr Bailey was in a group photo taken at the party, but said he left shortly after it was takenAnd yesterday we confronted Mr Bailey with that, alongside a time-stamped BBC News clip showing him still at his HQ at 9.08pm – but in another part of the building.
Only then did he finally admit
he was actually there until at least 9.15pm – but not in the office where the party was still going on.
Labour last night urged Mr Bailey to give up the House of Lords seat handed to him by Boris Johnson.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “This is just the latest undeserved honour doled out by the disgraced former Prime Minister but approved by Rishi Sunak. If his promises of integrity and accountability meant anything, he would rethink.”
Last week, we published a bombshell video of staff drinking and dancing at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ), contrary to the Covid rules then in place.
A still from Mr Bailey's Newsnight appearance, which was pre-recordedThe next day Mr Bailey told ITV that the party “obviously turned into something once I had left”.
In an interview 18 months ago – after snaps from the party surfaced – he stated he had left CCHQ early in the evening to appear on the BBC’s Newsnight programme.
He told GB News at the time: “I’d come back to look at some paperwork to be off to go on Newsnight so I toodled off to do Newsnight. So I wasn’t there long.”
Yesterday, we showed Mr Bailey a time-stamped clip of him at CCHQ, giving the BBC News channel a live interview just after 9pm.
In response, he admitted staying in the building until at least 9.15pm – more than an hour after the video was made – but said he was not at the event at that time. He also admitted the Newsnight appearance was in fact pre-recorded. Asked about his earlier claims, Mr Bailey’s lawyers told us he had been “unintentionally inaccurate” in the interview with GB News, confusing Newsnight with BBC News. On the day of the party, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said London would follow the stricter Tier 3 Covid rules.
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Mr Bailey gave an interview to BBC News Channel from his office in CCHQ at 9.08pm
Guests at the party were wearing wristwatches, which showed the time was 7.50pm when the video was shotDuring interviews that afternoon, Mr Bailey – campaigning to be Mayor of London – called for an “area-based” system of restrictions in the capital, specifically suggesting rules in Westminster be relaxed.
In December 2021, the Mirror published a photo of the party, showing 24 people – including Mr Bailey – huddled up close for the shot. Police initially closed that investigation in November, saying there was not enough evidence to contradict explanations from those present, including Mr Bailey. No one was fined for attending the bash.
But the Metropolitan Police has requested the Mirror’s tape after Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley indicated it may now look again, saying: “A video tells a richer story.” Mr Bailey said: “As I have said consistently, I gave a short speech to my team to thank them then left shortly afterwards.
“I finished my work in a different part of the building then went straight back to my hotel.
“I was not aware the gathering would develop as it did after I left and I have apologised unreservedly.”