An adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned on Wednesday following backlash from a leaked video that showed her laughing and joking about holding a Christmas party during the peak of COVID-19 lockdown.

Allegra Stratton, Johnson's former press secretary and COP26 spokeswoman, made such remarks at a time when holiday gatherings were banned in the U.K. in order to contain the virus. The video, obtained by ITV, showed Stratton laughing as she tried to describe the alleged Downing Street staff party that occurred a few days prior and had “definitely no social distancing.”

"My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention. I will regret those remarks for the rest of my days," Stratton told reporters outside her home.

"I understand the anger and frustration that people feel. 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," she added.

Johnson also apologized for the video on Wednesday and had launched an investigation to uncover what happened last Christmas and determine whether any COVID restrictions were broken.

Prior to the leaker footage, Johnson and his ministers had been denying that an evening-long party took place on Dec. 18, 2020.

During that same day, London was under Tier 3 restrictions, meaning all inside gatherings of two or more people were banned and work parties were prohibited, BBC News noted.

In response, Twitter has been blowing up with people discussing the video and Stratton’s resignation.

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