Gavin Williamson, who was replaced as Education Secretary by Nadhim Zahawi in September, held a gathering for up to two dozen members of staff last Christmas. The Mirror reports the MP for South Staffordshire gathered employees together on December 10.

       At the time, London was subject to tier 2 restrictions, which imposed a ban on social mixing between households.

       Data from the Department for Education also suggests the party coincided with 1.2million children being out of school in England alone.

       It was claimed the former Cabinet Minister delivered a short speech at the "drinks and canapes" event.

       A source told the Mirror: "There were lots of people gathered in the cafe area, mingling and drinking wine.

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       "It was just so reckless."

       Another added: "He hosted a drinks do when people were considering whether they could spend Christmas with their families."

       The Department for Education responded by failing to deny it had broken COVID-19 rules.

       Instead, the department admitted "it would have been better" not to have held the festive bash while millions of Brits were banned from doing so.

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       A spokesman from the Department for Education added: "The gathering was used to thank those staff for their efforts during the pandemic.

       "While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."

       News of Mr Williamson's party comes after footage of Number 10 officials joking about Downing Street's Christmas party led an unnamed Conservative MP to call on Number 10 officials, including the Prime Minister to resign.

       No 10 initially did not say the reports were inaccurate but said all rules had been followed, before later denying any party had taken place.

       The Tory MP text ITV's Paul Brand: "I’m tired of it. He has to go. Clean sweep. It’s unsustainable."

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       The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford also called on Mr Johnson to resign.

       "This video is damning and leaves the Prime Minister with a lot to answer for," he said.

       "When every individual up and down the country was told to stay at home in order to protect the NHS, the Tories were instead having a Christmas party which, as a senior staff member has now confirmed, was 'not socially distanced'.

       "If this is true, then the Prime Minister's position is untenable and he must remove himself from office immediately."