THE MP for Copeland has said she was unaware of a Downing Street drinks party taking place in summer 2020 - as Conservative colleagues expressed shock at the revelations about the event.

A growing number of Tories have lashed out at the Prime Minister amid fresh allegations he attended a rule-breaking drinks party in Downing Street during the first national lockdown.

Police are in contact with the Cabinet Office over the claims, which came to a head on Monday night.

It has been alleged that a senior aide to Mr Johnson organised a 'bring your own booze' event in the garden behind No. 10 on May 20, 2020.

Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary, sent an email to more than 100 Downing Street employees inviting them to the evening gathering, ITV reported.

Mr Reynolds said they should 'make the most of the lovely weather', despite England being under tough coronavirus restrictions banning groups from meeting socially outdoors when the message was sent.

The allegations are being examined by senior official Sue Gray as part of her investigation into claims of lockdown-busting parties in Whitehall and Downing Street.

Trudy Harrison, the Conservative Party MP for Copeland, said: “I can confirm that I did not attend any parties – nor am I aware of any parties occurring – at Downing Street.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further until the outcome of the independent investigation is presented.”

Her Cumbrian colleague, Dr Neil Hudson, who is the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “I am appalled and shocked at the reports of further gatherings in May last year that are now coming to light this week.

“It is vital, if we are to maintain public trust, that Government employees, politicians and officials follow the same rules as the rest of the country.

“This is now more important than ever as the public health guidelines have been strengthened in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.

“People up and down the land have made incredible sacrifices, some of them personally heart breaking, to obey the public health rules and quite rightly they are indignant and upset about this.”