MPs on Tuesday voted in favour of stricter measures to combat the rise of the Omicron variant, leading to the reintroduction of mandatory face masks and Covid passes to access large venues. The Government's strategy to contain the spread of the virus has sparked concerns of a new lockdown being implemented before the year's end. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to dismiss speculation about a new shutdown being needed.

       Mr Shapps pointed out Parliament will enter recess this week and said he does not think it will not be necessary to recall MPs to Westminster during the Christmas holidays.

       The Commons are normally required to vote on all new restrictions being proposed.

       He said: "One thing the Prime Minister said if we needed to, or wanted to, or thought there was a requirement to introduce something further, we would recall Parliament before the end of the year.

       "We don't think that is necessary and that would be a really high bar, of course, the need to recall Parliament over the Christmas period. No, we think we've got the right measures in place."

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       During his media round on Wednesday, Mr Shapps also hit out at Conservative Party members who were pictured breaching Covid rules during last year's London lockdown.

       On Tuesday night, a photograph emerged in the Daily Mirror of a previously reported party held by Shaun Bailey's campaign team at Conservative Headquarters on December 14 last year.

       Mr Shapps said: "That scene is absolutely unacceptable.

       "It is unacceptable for people to be breaking the rules. That was not authorised by the Conservative Party.

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       "Those Conservatives who were on secondment from the party have already been disciplined and whatever further action needs to be taken will be taken."

       He also denied that Boris Johnson's authority has been undermined by the Tory revolt over Covid passes.

       Mr Shapps said: "In terms of his authority, I saw Prime Minister on Sunday night asking the country to get the booster jab and yesterday walked past huge queues around the block of people responding to the Prime Minister's plea.

       "Having been the person to get this country, first of all, jabbed ahead of every other major economy and now booster jabbed ahead of every other country, comes down personally to the authority of the Prime Minister."