The video evidence later came to the fore, eroding all previous denials. The government was on the ropes, making numerous evolving statements regarding the parties that weren’t parties. UK editor Paul Brand, his producer Nathan Lee and head of investigations Imogen Barrer had been in possession of the video in question “for some time,” but due to its sensitive nature and the need for a robust public interest defence in order to run it, they were waiting for their moment. On December 7 2021, ITV News sent shockwaves around Westminster when it revealed a leaked recording of staff joking about a Christmas party that had been thrown during lockdown in December 2020.
