Messages show how No 10 struggled to explain Covid parties within rules

10 Downing Street (Nick Ansell/PA)

Officials in No 10 struggled to explain how lockdown gatherings in Downing Street complied with the Covid restrictions in place at the time, according to newly released internal messages.

The Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament, published extracts from a series of WhatsApp exchanges involving then communications director Jack Doyle and other officials.