Carrie gives birth to a baby girl: PM breaks off from Covid chaos engulfing government to escort wife to hospital and welcome their second child together- making him father to at least seven children
Boris Johnson's wife Carrie has given birth to the Prime Minister's seventh child today - a baby girl - after a tumultuous 24 hours in Downing Street where the furore over illegal Christmas parties at No 10 rocked his premiership.
The couple walked into a central London hospital at 7.40am this morning - around two hours after police officers turned up to secure the site ahead of Carrie's arrival, MailOnline can reveal.
A masked Mrs Johnson, 33, was accompanied into a side entrance by a bodyguard carrying an overnight bag. Her husband, 57, wearing a mask and a trademark wooly hat, was flanked by two policemen as he followed her in carrying a suitcase and what appeared to be a bluetooth speaker.
The baby girl, a younger sister to their son Wilf, one, who was born in April 2020, was born within a couple of hours with Mr Johnson at his third wife's side throughout the labour and birth.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the couple said: 'The Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson are delighted to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today. Both mother and daughter are doing very well. The couple would like to thank the brilliant NHS maternity team for all their care and support.'
The couple announced they were expecting their second child together at the end of July, as the 33-year-old environmental campaigner and former director of communications for the Conservatives spoke of having a miscarriage earlier in 2021.
Boris' happy news came after a day of bedlam in government where he is struggling to contain a Tory revolt today amid fury at 'non-sensical' new Covid restrictions and his handling of the No10 Christmas party debacle, which forced the tearful resignation of senior Government aide Allegra Stratton.
Last night the PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled. But critics says the restrictions are 'mental' as he urged 66million Britons to work from home if they can to slow the spread of Omicron - but still head into town for Christmas parties as well as festive drinks and dinners.
And amid more scandal at No 10, Baby Johnson entered the world just as the Conservatives were fined £17,800 over the controversial donation to help cover the lavish refurbishments to the couple's Downing Street flat. The new arrival means Mr Johnson has at least seven children, although he has frequently obfuscated when asked exactly how many.
Boris Johnson 's wife Carrie has given birth to the Prime Minister's seventh child today - a baby girl, pictured arriving at a London hospital this morning
The PM, wearing a mask and a trademark wooly hat, was flanked by two policemen as he followed her in carrying a suitcase and what appeared to be a bluetooth speaker
The baby girl, a younger sister to their son Wilf, one, who was born in April 2020, was born within a couple of hours of Carrie's arrival at hospital (pictured) with Mr Johnson at his third wife's side throughout the labour and birth.
The couple announced they were expecting their second child together at the end of July, as the 33-year-old environmental campaigner and former director of communications for the Conservatives spoke of having a miscarriage earlier in 2021.
The PM has a son, Wilfred, with third wife Carrie Johnson (above at the G7 in Cornwall) and four with his second wife Marina Wheeler. He also has a daughter from an affair in 2009.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'Congratulations to Carrie and Boris Johnson on the birth of their daughter. 'Wishing your family health and happiness.'
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
But critics says the restrictions are 'mental' as he urged 66million Britons to work from home if they can to slow the spread of Omicron - but still head into town for Christmas parties as well as festive drinks and dinners.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
In September Boris Johnson finally admitted that he is the father of six children after years of speculation.
The Prime Minister is notoriously reluctant to discuss his often colourful private life but let down his guard on American television.
In an interview with NBC on a trip to New York, Mr Johnson admitted for the first time that he has six children - from three different relationships - although there has been some suggestion that there may actually be a seventh. With the birth of his new baby, he may even have eight.
The PM now has two children with his third wife Carrie Johnson and four with his second wife Marina Wheeler. He also has a daughter from an affair in 2009 with journalist and art critic Helen Macintyre - although a court case in 2013 hinted that there may be a second.
Boris has never previously put a figure on the size of his family. Speaking to the Today morning show, he was asked if he was a father of six, replying, 'yes'. Asked what it was like being a father to a young child while in power he added: 'It's fantastic. It's a lot of work, I'll tell you that much. But I love it, I absolutely love it. I change a lot of nappies.'
Mr Johnson has wed three times, with both previous marriages ending in divorce after he had an affair with his future wife.
The PM – who once dismissed reports of his cheating as 'an inverted pyramid of piffle' – married Oxford University sweetheart Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1987, but they divorced in 1993 after he cheated on her with Wheeler.
In 2004, his four-year affair with journalist and society author Petronella Wyatt, the daughter of Labour grandee Lord Wyatt, became public. She later told how she had an abortion and suffered a miscarriage.
Mr Johnson was sacked from his role as shadow arts minister by then-Tory leader Michael Howard for lying about the relationship.
The following year he fathered a child with art consultant Helen Macintyre but again was reconciled with his then wife. They finally announced plans to divorce in 2019 year after his relationship with Carrie came to light.
Boris, Carrie and Wilf on holiday in Scotland when the little boy in a sling was just five months old
Boris, pictured with his four children from his marriage to Marina, right, pictured together in London when she became a QC in 2016
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about news he was having his first child with Carrie in March 2020.
Ms Wheeler divorced Mr Johnson after throwing him out in 2018 amid claims he was having an affair with Ms Symonds.
She is also said to be aggrieved that Boris became engaged and tried for a baby while they were divorcing.
Mr Johnson is thought to have tried to tell their four children Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, Cassia Peaches, 22, and Theodore Apollo, 20, in person that he and Carrie were having a baby, born later that year.
But not all of his children reportedly bothered to turn up for their father's announcement and are said to be 'furious' because they believe Carrie and Boris got together after an affair.
On discovering his relationship with with Carrie, who is 24 years Boris' junior, Lara told friends he was a 'selfish b*****d' and all the children are said to have been supporting their mother through the divorce.
Boris had a fifth child from an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
At first he denied he was the father and even sought a High Court injunction in 2013 to prevent her existence becoming public. He lost, and also the case led to claims there was another secret love child.
The confusion sprang from the judgment that suggested he may have fathered two children as a result of the affair with Ms Macintyre.
It read: 'What was material was that the father's infidelities resulted in the conception of children on two occasions.'
Boris Johnson poses with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral on May 29 in London
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina (pictured together in 2015) was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about his decision to marry again and have more children
Petronella Wyatt, Boris's vivacious deputy when he was editor of The Spectator – at that time dubbed the 'Sextator' because of the numerous affairs between staff, including her relationship with Boris. Pictured together at the Spectator Magazine summer party in 2006
Boris Johnson and Allegra Mostyn-Owen, pictured together in 1987. They divorced after six years after he had an affair
Boris' daughter Lara (together in 2012) reportedly branded her father a 'selfish b*****d' after allegations he had an affair with Carrie surfaced in 2018
Mr Johnson's children with Marina are Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, (left) Cassia Peaches, 22, (centre) and Theodore Apollo, 20, (right)
Boris and Carrie's announcement they were getting engaged was made just 11 days after his divorce settlement with Marina Wheeler was agreed in court. The couple had been married for 27 years and have four children, with Ms Wheeler - a successful barrister - reportedly in line to receive £4million from her husband.
Britain wakes up to Plan B: PM faces mass Tory revolt over 'work from home but go to Christmas parties' message, vaccine pass chaos as website crashes - and businesses face devastation from crippling restrictions
Boris Johnson is struggling to contain a Tory revolt today amid fury at 'non-sensical' new Covid restrictions and his handling of the No10 Christmas party debacle.
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
Backbencher Marcus Fysh said today that the latest curbs are an 'utter disgrace', while former chief whip Mark Harper has questioned whether the government has the moral authority to impose the limits given the row over rules being flouted in Downing Street.
There was a further setback when the NHS Covid pass website crashed for several hours last night.
In signs of Cabinet tensions, Sajid Javid this morning dismissed a hint from the PM that mandatory vaccination might be looked at in future, saying that would be 'ethically wrong'.
And the Health Secretary revealed that he refused to continue with a scheduled round of broadcast interviews yesterday because he was 'upset' by the bombshell video of No10 aides giggling about an alleged lockdown-busting festive gathering last year.
Mr Javid insisted it is 'proportionate' to urge people not to go to the office
The scale of the damage to the Tories from the partying revelations, which followed the sleaze row, has been underlined with a poll showing 63 per cent of voters think the PM should resign.
Labour also had a four-point lead in the Redfield & Wilton poll, the largest since the 2019 general election.
At a downbeat Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said the new restrictions were a 'proportionate and responsible' reaction to a surge in Omicron cases.
But he faced accusations that he had accelerated the move to Plan B restrictions in order to shift the news agenda away from public outrage over claims that No10 staff held a Christmas party last December in defiance of tough lockdown rules.
William Wragg, Tory chairman of the Commons public administration committee, called the move a 'diversionary tactic'. Other MPs asked how the Government could expect people to abide by Covid rules when No10 staff were accused of recklessly breaking them.
Many Conservative backbenchers were also furious over the likely economic impact of the new curbs, with some even heckling Health Secretary Sajid Javid in the Commons to shouts of 'resign'.
The public appeared to have already voted with their feet today as pictures showed London stations eerily quiet. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'Congratulations to Carrie and Boris Johnson on the birth of their daughter. 'Wishing your family health and happiness.'
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
But critics says the restrictions are 'mental' as he urged 66million Britons to work from home if they can to slow the spread of Omicron - but still head into town for Christmas parties as well as festive drinks and dinners.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
In September Boris Johnson finally admitted that he is the father of six children after years of speculation.
The Prime Minister is notoriously reluctant to discuss his often colourful private life but let down his guard on American television.
In an interview with NBC on a trip to New York, Mr Johnson admitted for the first time that he has six children - from three different relationships - although there has been some suggestion that there may actually be a seventh. With the birth of his new baby, he may even have eight.
The PM now has two children with his third wife Carrie Johnson and four with his second wife Marina Wheeler. He also has a daughter from an affair in 2009 with journalist and art critic Helen Macintyre - although a court case in 2013 hinted that there may be a second.
Boris has never previously put a figure on the size of his family. Speaking to the Today morning show, he was asked if he was a father of six, replying, 'yes'. Asked what it was like being a father to a young child while in power he added: 'It's fantastic. It's a lot of work, I'll tell you that much. But I love it, I absolutely love it. I change a lot of nappies.'
Mr Johnson has wed three times, with both previous marriages ending in divorce after he had an affair with his future wife.
The PM – who once dismissed reports of his cheating as 'an inverted pyramid of piffle' – married Oxford University sweetheart Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1987, but they divorced in 1993 after he cheated on her with Wheeler.
In 2004, his four-year affair with journalist and society author Petronella Wyatt, the daughter of Labour grandee Lord Wyatt, became public. She later told how she had an abortion and suffered a miscarriage.
Mr Johnson was sacked from his role as shadow arts minister by then-Tory leader Michael Howard for lying about the relationship.
The following year he fathered a child with art consultant Helen Macintyre but again was reconciled with his then wife. They finally announced plans to divorce in 2019 year after his relationship with Carrie came to light.
Boris, Carrie and Wilf on holiday in Scotland when the little boy in a sling was just five months old
Boris, pictured with his four children from his marriage to Marina, right, pictured together in London when she became a QC in 2016
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about news he was having his first child with Carrie in March 2020.
Ms Wheeler divorced Mr Johnson after throwing him out in 2018 amid claims he was having an affair with Ms Symonds.
She is also said to be aggrieved that Boris became engaged and tried for a baby while they were divorcing.
Mr Johnson is thought to have tried to tell their four children Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, Cassia Peaches, 22, and Theodore Apollo, 20, in person that he and Carrie were having a baby, born later that year.
But not all of his children reportedly bothered to turn up for their father's announcement and are said to be 'furious' because they believe Carrie and Boris got together after an affair.
On discovering his relationship with with Carrie, who is 24 years Boris' junior, Lara told friends he was a 'selfish b*****d' and all the children are said to have been supporting their mother through the divorce.
Boris had a fifth child from an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
At first he denied he was the father and even sought a High Court injunction in 2013 to prevent her existence becoming public. He lost, and also the case led to claims there was another secret love child.
The confusion sprang from the judgment that suggested he may have fathered two children as a result of the affair with Ms Macintyre.
It read: 'What was material was that the father's infidelities resulted in the conception of children on two occasions.'
Boris Johnson poses with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral on May 29 in London
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina (pictured together in 2015) was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about his decision to marry again and have more children
Petronella Wyatt, Boris's vivacious deputy when he was editor of The Spectator – at that time dubbed the 'Sextator' because of the numerous affairs between staff, including her relationship with Boris. Pictured together at the Spectator Magazine summer party in 2006
Boris Johnson and Allegra Mostyn-Owen, pictured together in 1987. They divorced after six years after he had an affair
Boris' daughter Lara (together in 2012) reportedly branded her father a 'selfish b*****d' after allegations he had an affair with Carrie surfaced in 2018
Mr Johnson's children with Marina are Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, (left) Cassia Peaches, 22, (centre) and Theodore Apollo, 20, (right)
Boris and Carrie's announcement they were getting engaged was made just 11 days after his divorce settlement with Marina Wheeler was agreed in court. The couple had been married for 27 years and have four children, with Ms Wheeler - a successful barrister - reportedly in line to receive £4million from her husband.
Britain wakes up to Plan B: PM faces mass Tory revolt over 'work from home but go to Christmas parties' message, vaccine pass chaos as website crashes - and businesses face devastation from crippling restrictions
Boris Johnson is struggling to contain a Tory revolt today amid fury at 'non-sensical' new Covid restrictions and his handling of the No10 Christmas party debacle.
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
Backbencher Marcus Fysh said today that the latest curbs are an 'utter disgrace', while former chief whip Mark Harper has questioned whether the government has the moral authority to impose the limits given the row over rules being flouted in Downing Street.
There was a further setback when the NHS Covid pass website crashed for several hours last night.
In signs of Cabinet tensions, Sajid Javid this morning dismissed a hint from the PM that mandatory vaccination might be looked at in future, saying that would be 'ethically wrong'.
And the Health Secretary revealed that he refused to continue with a scheduled round of broadcast interviews yesterday because he was 'upset' by the bombshell video of No10 aides giggling about an alleged lockdown-busting festive gathering last year.
Mr Javid insisted it is 'proportionate' to urge people not to go to the office
The scale of the damage to the Tories from the partying revelations, which followed the sleaze row, has been underlined with a poll showing 63 per cent of voters think the PM should resign.
Labour also had a four-point lead in the Redfield & Wilton poll, the largest since the 2019 general election.
At a downbeat Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said the new restrictions were a 'proportionate and responsible' reaction to a surge in Omicron cases.
But he faced accusations that he had accelerated the move to Plan B restrictions in order to shift the news agenda away from public outrage over claims that No10 staff held a Christmas party last December in defiance of tough lockdown rules.
William Wragg, Tory chairman of the Commons public administration committee, called the move a 'diversionary tactic'. Other MPs asked how the Government could expect people to abide by Covid rules when No10 staff were accused of recklessly breaking them.
Many Conservative backbenchers were also furious over the likely economic impact of the new curbs, with some even heckling Health Secretary Sajid Javid in the Commons to shouts of 'resign'.
The public appeared to have already voted with their feet today as pictures showed London stations eerily quiet. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'Congratulations to Carrie and Boris Johnson on the birth of their daughter. 'Wishing your family health and happiness.'
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
But critics says the restrictions are 'mental' as he urged 66million Britons to work from home if they can to slow the spread of Omicron - but still head into town for Christmas parties as well as festive drinks and dinners.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
In September Boris Johnson finally admitted that he is the father of six children after years of speculation.
The Prime Minister is notoriously reluctant to discuss his often colourful private life but let down his guard on American television.
In an interview with NBC on a trip to New York, Mr Johnson admitted for the first time that he has six children - from three different relationships - although there has been some suggestion that there may actually be a seventh. With the birth of his new baby, he may even have eight.
The PM now has two children with his third wife Carrie Johnson and four with his second wife Marina Wheeler. He also has a daughter from an affair in 2009 with journalist and art critic Helen Macintyre - although a court case in 2013 hinted that there may be a second.
Boris has never previously put a figure on the size of his family. Speaking to the Today morning show, he was asked if he was a father of six, replying, 'yes'. Asked what it was like being a father to a young child while in power he added: 'It's fantastic. It's a lot of work, I'll tell you that much. But I love it, I absolutely love it. I change a lot of nappies.'
Mr Johnson has wed three times, with both previous marriages ending in divorce after he had an affair with his future wife.
The PM – who once dismissed reports of his cheating as 'an inverted pyramid of piffle' – married Oxford University sweetheart Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1987, but they divorced in 1993 after he cheated on her with Wheeler.
In 2004, his four-year affair with journalist and society author Petronella Wyatt, the daughter of Labour grandee Lord Wyatt, became public. She later told how she had an abortion and suffered a miscarriage.
Mr Johnson was sacked from his role as shadow arts minister by then-Tory leader Michael Howard for lying about the relationship.
The following year he fathered a child with art consultant Helen Macintyre but again was reconciled with his then wife. They finally announced plans to divorce in 2019 year after his relationship with Carrie came to light.
Boris, Carrie and Wilf on holiday in Scotland when the little boy in a sling was just five months old
Boris, pictured with his four children from his marriage to Marina, right, pictured together in London when she became a QC in 2016
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about news he was having his first child with Carrie in March 2020.
Ms Wheeler divorced Mr Johnson after throwing him out in 2018 amid claims he was having an affair with Ms Symonds.
She is also said to be aggrieved that Boris became engaged and tried for a baby while they were divorcing.
Mr Johnson is thought to have tried to tell their four children Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, Cassia Peaches, 22, and Theodore Apollo, 20, in person that he and Carrie were having a baby, born later that year.
But not all of his children reportedly bothered to turn up for their father's announcement and are said to be 'furious' because they believe Carrie and Boris got together after an affair.
On discovering his relationship with with Carrie, who is 24 years Boris' junior, Lara told friends he was a 'selfish b*****d' and all the children are said to have been supporting their mother through the divorce.
Boris had a fifth child from an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
At first he denied he was the father and even sought a High Court injunction in 2013 to prevent her existence becoming public. He lost, and also the case led to claims there was another secret love child.
The confusion sprang from the judgment that suggested he may have fathered two children as a result of the affair with Ms Macintyre.
It read: 'What was material was that the father's infidelities resulted in the conception of children on two occasions.'
Boris Johnson poses with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral on May 29 in London
Boris Johnson's second wife Marina (pictured together in 2015) was reportedly 'crushed' and their four children 'furious' about his decision to marry again and have more children
Petronella Wyatt, Boris's vivacious deputy when he was editor of The Spectator – at that time dubbed the 'Sextator' because of the numerous affairs between staff, including her relationship with Boris. Pictured together at the Spectator Magazine summer party in 2006
Boris Johnson and Allegra Mostyn-Owen, pictured together in 1987. They divorced after six years after he had an affair
Boris' daughter Lara (together in 2012) reportedly branded her father a 'selfish b*****d' after allegations he had an affair with Carrie surfaced in 2018
Mr Johnson's children with Marina are Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, (left) Cassia Peaches, 22, (centre) and Theodore Apollo, 20, (right)
Boris and Carrie's announcement they were getting engaged was made just 11 days after his divorce settlement with Marina Wheeler was agreed in court. The couple had been married for 27 years and have four children, with Ms Wheeler - a successful barrister - reportedly in line to receive £4million from her husband.
Britain wakes up to Plan B: PM faces mass Tory revolt over 'work from home but go to Christmas parties' message, vaccine pass chaos as website crashes - and businesses face devastation from crippling restrictions
Boris Johnson is struggling to contain a Tory revolt today amid fury at 'non-sensical' new Covid restrictions and his handling of the No10 Christmas party debacle.
The PM dramatically triggered 'Plan B' measures to control the rampant Omicron strain at a press conference last night, with fears that infections are now doubling every few days and the NHS could be crippled.
Millions of office staff will be urged to work from home from Monday, while masks will be required in theatres and cinemas, and Covid passports are being introduced for nightclubs and large venues.
But Mr Johnson stressed that office Christmas parties should go ahead, sparking derision from critics. Desperate businesses have complained that the differing restrictions for venues 'don't make any sense'.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are now threatening to rebel against the measures when a Commons vote is held next week - although support from Labour means they will still pass.
Backbencher Marcus Fysh said today that the latest curbs are an 'utter disgrace', while former chief whip Mark Harper has questioned whether the government has the moral authority to impose the limits given the row over rules being flouted in Downing Street.
There was a further setback when the NHS Covid pass website crashed for several hours last night.
In signs of Cabinet tensions, Sajid Javid this morning dismissed a hint from the PM that mandatory vaccination might be looked at in future, saying that would be 'ethically wrong'.
And the Health Secretary revealed that he refused to continue with a scheduled round of broadcast interviews yesterday because he was 'upset' by the bombshell video of No10 aides giggling about an alleged lockdown-busting festive gathering last year.
Mr Javid insisted it is 'proportionate' to urge people not to go to the office
The scale of the damage to the Tories from the partying revelations, which followed the sleaze row, has been underlined with a poll showing 63 per cent of voters think the PM should resign.
Labour also had a four-point lead in the Redfield & Wilton poll, the largest since the 2019 general election.
At a downbeat Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said the new restrictions were a 'proportionate and responsible' reaction to a surge in Omicron cases.
But he faced accusations that he had accelerated the move to Plan B restrictions in order to shift the news agenda away from public outrage over claims that No10 staff held a Christmas party last December in defiance of tough lockdown rules.
William Wragg, Tory chairman of the Commons public administration committee, called the move a 'diversionary tactic'. Other MPs asked how the Government could expect people to abide by Covid rules when No10 staff were accused of recklessly breaking them.
Many Conservative backbenchers were also furious over the likely economic impact of the new curbs, with some even heckling Health Secretary Sajid Javid in the Commons to shouts of 'resign'.
The public appeared to have already voted with their feet today as pictures showed London stations eerily quiet. 
In signs of Cabinet tensions, Sajid Javid this morning dismissed a hint from the PM that mandatory vaccination might be looked at in future, saying that would be 'ethically wrong'
At a Downing Street press conference last night, the PM declared that people should once again work from home where possible, as well as extending use of masks and introducing Covid passports for nightclubs
The public appeared to have already voted with their feet today as pictures showed London stations eerily quiet
Canada Water Tube station looked less busy than usual after the PM announced restrictions to combat the Omicron strain
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The leaked video of No10 staff rehearsing for a press conference that detonated the Christmas party row
In the bombshell video a No 10 aide asks a question about 'a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night', to which Allegra Stratton laughed and replied: 'I went home.' Downing Stree
Downing Street's had hoped that the row over the alleged lockdown-busting Christmas party a year ago was fading away.
But the situation escalated dramatically when ITV News was leaked footage from a mock press conference.
It shows the PM's aides putting his then-press secretary Allegra Stratton through her paces. She had been preparing to start hosting televised briefings for journalists weeks later - although that idea was embarrassingly shelved.
And damagingly one of the questions thrown at her during the session on December 22 referenced the 'party' four days earlier.
Ed Oldfield (PM's special adviser): 'I've just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night, do you recognise those reports?'
Allegra Stratton: 'I went home (laughs)... hold on, hold on, erm, err...'
Ed Oldfield: 'Would the Prime Minister condone having a Christmas party?'
Allegra Stratton: '(laughs) What's the answer?'
Ed Oldfield: 'I don't know!'
Downing Street Employee (unidentified): 'It wasn't a party... it was cheese and wine.'
Allegra Stratton: 'Is cheese and wine alright? It was a business meeting.'
(Everyone laughs)
Downing Street Employee: 'No! ... was joking!'
Allegra Stratton: '(laughs) This is recorded. This fictional party was a business meeting... (laughs) and it was not socially distanced. Umm one more and then we'll... one more. Anybody have any questions today?'
Questioned in a round of interviews this morning over whether it makes sense to instruct staff to work from home but go to parties and other social events, Mr Javid said: 'I think it is proportionate, actually, when you look at these measures, whether it is the working-from-home guidance, the rules around face masks, the NHS Covid pass, and all of these.
'It is a real sort of spectrum of response that you can have.
'It could be guidance, you could have Covid passes clearly in more settings, you could have face masks in more settings, but you have to take a balanced decision that takes into account a number of factors and, of course, the key here is to slow the spread of the new variant, and these measures will help do that.'
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We, of course, keep them under review, but they will have a significant impact in slowing the spread of the variant.'
Economic experts have criticised the restrictions ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas period, warning they could cost the economy £4billion a month and 'easily' knock two per cent off the size of the economy.
The hospitality industry said Plan B will kill off festive trade - a period when pubs, nightclubs and restaurants make a third of their annual profits. There are calls for a return to furlough and cash grants for restaurants, pubs, cafes, and bars.
Clive Wilson, Chairman of The City Pub Company, said together with rising energy costs and other pressures he expected to price of a pint to rise by around 40p.
'For restaurants and the late night economy - a third of your profit is made in December. People have described this as a body blow - it's more than that - it's taking off the life support machine yet again,' he said.
'And I notice that the Chancellor is not providing any further state aid.
'The current state aid is not enough. Please please give us that enhanced state aid to help us get through those leaner months otherwise a lot of businesses in our sector will run out of cash.'
Economic experts also criticised the move ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas period, warning they could cost the economy £4 billion a month and 'easily' knock 2 per cent off the size of the economy.
Lord Sugar tweeted that the Prime Minister must be removed from office, saying: 'Plan B. Boris is mental. Work from home but you can go to nightclubs and football matches if you are double vax. The man must go. Correct me if I am wrong but I have not heard of any one who had to go to hospital with this new strain let alone die. Small BIZ will collapse'.
Among the latest dramatic events:
- Ms Stratton resigned from her £125,000-a-year job;
- The PM asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate the party allegations and warned of disciplinary action;
- Scotland Yard said its officers would be taking no action 'at this stage';
- Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross suggested the PM would have to quit if his claim that no party was held proved to be untrue;
- Hospitality trade leaders warned that Plan B could deliver a £2billion a month economic hit;
- It emerged that the new Covid rules will not be reviewed until January 5;
- Ministers eased 'Pingdemic' rules to allow people to take daily tests rather than self-isolate.
In the Commons last night, Mr Harper said the evidence on the spread of Omicron, which has yet to hospitalise a single person in the UK, simply 'doesn't support the introduction of these measures'.
He told MPs: 'Over the past couple of weeks the Government's credibility, whether it's on Paterson or on the Christmas parties, has taken a hit.
'Why should people at home, listening to the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary, do things that people working in No10 are not prepared to do?'
Fellow Tory Philip Davies criticised the 'latest in a long line of arbitrary, unnecessary, socialist measures' and suggested Mr Javid had 'gone native'.
The Covid clampdown came just hours after the PM issued a rare apology over a leaked video that showed his former press secretary Allegra Stratton and other No10 aides appearing to laugh and joke about the alleged Christmas party during a mock press conference.
The video infuriated relatives of Covid victims who pointed out they had been unable to visit their dying loved ones under lockdown rules in place at the time when No10 staff were partying.
Mr Johnson yesterday repeated his claim that no rules had been broken.
But Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientist, appeared to take a swipe at No 10's conduct when they stood alongside Mr Johnson last night imploring people to follow the restrictions.
Sir Patrick said: 'The rules are quite carefully thought through ... and they're there for everybody to stick to.'
Professor Whitty added: 'We all know that people get very angry, including colleagues and friends, when they feel that it's unfair.'
At a stormy session of Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Mr Johnson issued a rare apology for the Christmas party video row, saying he was 'furious' to see the clip of No 10 aides 'seeming to make light of lockdown measures'.
He added: 'I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country, and I apologise for the impression that it gives.' 'But I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken, and that is what I have been repeatedly assured.'
No 10 said that it was 'categorically untrue' to suggest the move to Plan B had been accelerated to divert attention from the disastrous coverage of alleged rule-breaking by the PM's staff.
Mr Johnson also insisted that the emerging evidence about the rapid spread of the virus had left him with no choice but to move now: 'You've got to act to protect public health when you've got the clear evidence. The best way to ensure we all have a Christmas as close to normal as possible is to get on with Plan B. Irritating though it may be, it is not a lockdown.'
He also said that the best way to avoid a huge wave of the virus next month was for people to follow the new rules and get their booster jabs.
A Whitehall source last night said the introduction of Plan B was designed to slow the spread of the new variant and shift the expected peak next month back to February or March, by which time many more people will have had their booster jabs.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister's apology 'raises more questions than answers' because he had been 'caught red-handed'.
He added: 'Millions of people now think the Prime Minister was taking them for fools, that they were lied to.'
Wes Streeting, Labour's health spokesman, said Labour supported the new restrictions as being 'in the national interest', meaning they will almost certainly be approved in the Commons.
But Mr Johnson is certain to face a Tory backlash when MPs vote on the measures on Tuesday while party members have threatened to quit.
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