Jack Doyle: Boris Johnson has ‘full confidence’ in No 10 press chief who handed out awards at Chri

Boris Johnson has full confidence in his communications director despite claims he handed out awards at an allegedly rule-breaking Downing Street Christmas party.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he was “not aware” if Jack Doyle had offered to quit following the allegations, and was continuing in his post.

But the BBC reported that the aide did offer to resign and the PM turned it down.

Asked if Mr Johnson had full confidence in Mr Doyle, the spokesman replied: “Yes.”

The spokesman also said Mr Johnson retains full confidence in adviser Ed Oldfield after he appeared in the leaked footage that prompted Allegra Stratton to resign.

Meanwhile, the spokesman confirmed No 10 had “no plans” for a Christmas party this year because the PM and officials are focused on dealing with the Omicron Covid variant.

No 10 had previously said it was the intention to have a festive bash this year.

But asked on Friday, the spokesman said: “I think we’ve made clear since the latest situation with Omicron, obviously that’s taking up a great deal of time at the moment.

“There’s no plans for that in No 10.”

Asked when the decision was taken, the spokesman said: “Following the decision on Plan B and the latest data that we’ve got.”

ITV News, which first reported Mr Doyle’s presence at one event, said he addressed up to 50 people and made a speech at the party on December 18.

Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former chief aide, said Mr Doyle was a “gonner” (sic) but predicted Mr Johnson would keep him on staff until after the Cabinet Secretary’s inquiry, then use him “as the sacrifice”.

He tweeted: “Also there’s lots of pictures of the parties which will inevitably get out. And invite lists beyond No10, to other departments…”

Sir Keir Starmer said the communications director should consider quitting.

Speaking in Hadston, Northumberland, the Labour leader said: “I think he’s got to look very carefully at his position.

“If the information that’s coming out at the moment about attending the party is accurate, then it seems to be pretty obvious that he’s got to consider his position.”

Meanwhile, Chief Whip Mark Spencer claimed Mr Johnson “will not have lied about any parties” in No 10, appearing to pre-empt an inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.

Speaking to BBC Nottingham, he also claimed Downing Street staff “were not drinking alcohol” and partying during Covid restrictions and that the Prime Minister can not know everything going on in Downing Street with its “hundreds of offices and rooms”.

Mr Spencer also suggested Ms Stratton was joking about a Christmas party that never happened in leaked footage of a mock press conference that triggered her resignation on Wednesday.

The Good Law Project said on Friday it would take legal action against the Metropolitan Police unless it was able to justify its failure to investigate reports of an unlawful party at No 10 on 18 December.