Basingstoke's MP has not commented on whether police should investigate reports of a Christmas party at Downing Street last year.

It is reported that a party was held at Downing Street in November 2020 - when the country was in national lockdown - and a second was held in December, when London was in Tier 3.

The latest line from Downing Street is that a party did not take place, but they have also said all regulations were followed.

The Gazette asked Maria Miller what her views were on the alleged party, and whether police should investigate if reports are made.

However, in her response, Mrs Miller did not address the question on whether officers should look at the allegations.

The Gazette asked: "What are your thoughts on the reports that a Christmas party was held at Downing Street last year?

"At a time when the rest of the country, including constituents in Basingstoke, were forced to cancel their plans to help curb the spread of the virus, do you think it was right that government officials and ministers held the parties, according to the reports?

"Further, do you think the Met Police should investigate these reports?"

In an official statement sent on behalf of the former culture secretary by an adviser, Mrs Miller said: “Any meetings or events held at Number 10 follow the same rules as everyone else, that was the case a year ago and it is the same today.

"What is important now is that we all play our part in helping stop the spread of Coronavirus here in our own community, including by having our Covid vaccine jabs and boosters, washing hands and wearing face masks.

"That way we can all play our part in helping stop the spread of this virus, protecting vulnerable people in our community and protecting the NHS in these winter months."

The Gazette followed up, but the same statement was returned to us.

On Monday, North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, who serves in Boris Johnson's cabinet, said that police should investigate if reports are made.

But he added that he had been assured by Number 10 that all regulations were followed.

The Daily Mirror reported that two events took place in No 10 last year in the run-up to the festive season, including Boris Johnson giving a speech at a leaving do during November’s lockdown.

The other was said to be a staff party in December, where party games were played, food and drinks were served, and revelries went on past midnight.

At the time, the Tier 3 rules in place in London explicitly banned work Christmas lunches and parties where it is “a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted”.