Boris Johnson’s big Christmas party apology was perhaps inevitable. Considering the levels of frustration among his backbenchers and the public, it was a wise move.

It does, however, provoke further serious questions for the government.

In repeatedly denying a bash ever took place (“there was no Christmas party”, we were told), the prime minister, his senior ministers and spokespeople seem to have lied, even if unwittingly.

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During a tense briefing of journalists this afternoon, Boris Johnson’s two spokespeople refused to say who was responsible for giving the PM incorrect “assurances” that no event had taken place.

They were also unable to confirm whether top civil servant Simon Case was in attendance at the bash, even though he is the man tasked with investigating it.

Government sources later clarified the cabinet secretary was not present.

Mr Johnson’s spokespeople did say, however, that the PM was not a guest at the party.

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Mr Case’s inquiry kicks the row into the long grass and should clear up who was present at the rule-breaking event.

Reports suggest most attendees were civil servants or political advisers.

Mr Johnson’s concession to Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs that any breaches of COVID restrictions will be passed on to the Metropolitan Police could come back to haunt his team.

Mr Case’s investigation will only cover the event on 18 December, not reports of a celebration to mark the departure of Dominic Cummings allegedly held on 13 December, or reports of another party on 27 November.

In a tweet, Mr Cummings suggested the party after his resignation on the 13th was held in the PM’s Downing Street flat.

Aside from the damage to Mr Johnson’s leadership, this episode could have a far more dangerous effect on the public’s willingness to comply with COVID restrictions.

With growing speculation that the government will introduce their COVID “Plan B” in the coming days, the prime minister is likely to be asked why anyone should follow the rules when his colleagues apparently ignored them.

This row has also been an unnecessary unforced error that has damaged morale among Conservative MPs.

Some on the Tory benches believe the PM’s mishandling of it will lead to more parliamentarians having the confidence to vote against their leader in future.

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