Boris Johnson has said he “apologises unreservedly” for a video showing No.10 officials joking about a staff Christmas party during the peak of lockdown last December.

Johnson told the Commons during PMQ’s he was “also furious to see that clip”.

“I can understand how infuriating it would be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules. I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country, and apologise for the impression that it gives.”

His words were not enough for opposition MP’s who jeered Johnson, who responded by saying: “I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party, and that no Covid rules were broken.”

The PM then said the cabinet secretary would “report back as soon as possible” on whether that was the case and if rules were breached “then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved”.

And he agreed to provide the Metropolitan Police with any information the government has about parties in Downing Street

In the midst of the Christmas party scandal, word that the government has decided to implement the so-called Plan B of further restrictions, including requiring vaccine passports for large venues and an order to work from home has started to pick up.

Some political commentators have suggested that the move is a cynical distraction tactic by Johnson. Ministers on the Covid-19 operations committee met on Wednesday to decide on the exact measures.