WORKINGTON MP Mark Jenkinson has dismissed claims of dinner parties in Number 10 last Christmas - amid polling suggesting that seats like his could be lost by the Conservatives at the next election.

Mr Jenkinson also said that he was not invited to the alleged Christmas party which is said to have taken place on December 18 last year, and is not aware that any of his colleagues attended an event.

Mr Jenkinson said: “To report unsubstantiated, anonymous claims as fact without any evidence or first-hand experience sets a dangerous precedent.

"Number 10 have been clear that all rules have been followed throughout. I was not personally invited to a party at Number 10 last Christmas nor do I have any evidence that any of my colleagues were."

Instead the MP said he spent last Christmas in his home constituency of Workington, delivering books to primary school children and hampers to veterans.

"Indeed the Covid restrictions of last Christmas enabled me to spend more time in my constituency. I was able to deliver 6500 Christmas books - one to every primary school child in my constituency - and I also delivered a number of hampers to veterans. I will be repeating both of these activities this Christmas," Mr Jenkinson said.

The Prime Minister has faced tough questions in the last few days after a tape was leaked to ITV News in which his former press secretary Allegra Stratton seems to be laughing about a 'cheese and wine' party that was held in Number 10 at a time when London was in tier 3 lockdown due to the spreading of coronavirus.

The scandal has broken at a time - following the Owen Paterson 'sleaze' scandal of last month - when some regression polls have shown a potential loss in seats for Conservatives - including that of Workington MP Mark Jenkinson.

Pollsters Electoral Calculus have said that 77 Conservative MPs would look set to lose their seats in 2022, with many switching to Labour.

In PMQs on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said he was 'furious' to see the leaked recording but added he's been 'repeatedly reassured' there was no party in his home.

The Prime Minister has asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate whether events in Number 10 last year broke strict lockdown rules enforced in England last December.

Mrs Stratton resigned from her post yesterday afternoon, saying that she understood the 'anger and frustration' felt by the public.

She said: "To all of you who lost loved ones, who endured intolerable loneliness and who struggled with your businesses, I am truly sorry and this afternoon I am offering my resignation to the Prime Minister."