Dowden to hold Christmas party as other ministers cancel or scale down bashes

Conservative co-chair Oliver Dowden has told BBC Breakfast that he plans to hold a “normal Christmas gathering of staff in London”, amidst reports of other ministers cancelling parties.

The MP for Hertsmere said any gathering would be “completely consistent with the rules”.

He went on: “We are not changing plans – if the situation changes and rules need to be updated, we will do so then.”

“It will be a social gathering at our London office,” he explained.