REPORTS of Downing Street hosting a Christmas party while strict restrictions were in place last year have polarised Adver readers.

A poll this paper ran earlier today saw 38 per cent of votes agree with "It's terrible, I kept to the restrictions and they should have too."

Half of those who voted want an apology or resignation from prime minister Boris Johnson.

Nine per cent said it was actually not a big deal and two per cent agreed with the government's stance that the party did not happen.

Two per cent of poll voters had no opinion on the matter.

Angry comments poured in following footage showing a senior No 10 staff member joking about the party.

Louisa Giddings said: “Stuff the Christmas parties I couldn’t see my Dad before he died.”

Jason Goodenough said: “Not impressed but not surprised, they need to go now.”

Sonia Guarisco said: “It's not surprising is it? One rule for the Tories and another rule for the rest of us.”

Kimberley-Jane Brewer added: “Mental health at an all time crisis. People at home alone and isolated. People losing family members and unable to hold their hand. Then you have these clowns.”

Kay Horsely said: “Fuming because our guest's couldn't come and it was too late to cancel all the food we ordered - should have sent the bill to BoJo.”

April Cooper said: “The fact people were dying alone and spending Christmas alone is wrong while those prats in charge were busy having a good time. I for one will no longer listen or do what they say.”

Maria Vitale: “Bunch of hypocrites - do as I say not as I do. They need to go.”

Leanne Doyle: “They are a complete disgrace!Get Boris and his crew out!”

Leanne Newman: “Think it is disgusting, it’s one rule for them and another for us, it should apply to everyone, I think they should get fined like other people did.”

Other readers shrugged the allegations off and suggested the row was not worth caring about at the moment.

Sally Clark: “I'm sick of hearing about it. It's too late to change it. If it did happen then it was highly irresponsible and disrespectful to the population, however if it didn't, it's all fuss over nothing.

“I'm more concerned about what's happening in the here and now and how to protect ourselves better.”

Anthony Lawrence: “Who cares most people had some form of get together.”

Nita Tait: “I don't care. That was last year. Deal with the here and now.”

Gemma Elliott: “There are more important things to focus on.”

Peter Williams: “That was last year. let’s focus on this year, merry Christmas.”

Sandy Stephenson: “More things to worry about in life, they probably weren’t the only ones anyway, whatever government is in control they probably would have done the same so I’m not interested in it, just move on.”

Peter Cleaver: “Could care less, doubt they were the only ones. Political infighting.”

Gina Dearing added: “When people comment 'don't care' this is why they carry on getting away with this.”

The prime minister is facing questions about the Christmas party in the House of Commons right now.