The chair of the Conservatives says he has no plans to cancel staff Christmas parties over concerns about Covid.

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Oliver Dowden said the planned festivities were in line with rules, and he would "urge people to keep calm and carry on with their plans".

But the government has been accused of sending mixed messages about appropriate festive behaviour.

It follows controversy over No 10 staff breaking Covid rules with a party last December at the height of restrictions.

Boris Johnson - who was not at the party - has insisted staff stuck to regulations, but Downing Street has refused to detail how party-goers complied.

Asked again on Friday about the gathering, where a source told the BBC that staff had food, drinks and played party games until gone midnight, Mr Johnson said "it's not true" that any rules were broken.

Speaking during a campaign visit to North Shropshire, he said the guidance had been followed throughout and that the government would continue to follow it.

The emergence of the Omicron Covid variant earlier this month has prompted some health experts to question the safety of large gatherings this year.

One Tory MP said unclear advice was spurring a "cancel Christmas brigade".

Downing Street has said there will continue to be festive events this month, but would not specify whether or not that would include a No 10 staff party.

Asked whether one would take place, Mr Johnson's deputy spokesman said they wouldn't set out details of private functions in No 10.