…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
The recently surfaced “Partygate” video, featuring a dancing woman, has unveiled a connection to a Conservative Party member aspiring to be the London mayoral candidate.
The individual in question, identified as Malin Bogue, works as an aide to a Tory shortlisted for the mayoral candidacy.
The revelation sheds light on the network surrounding the video’s participants and their involvement in political campaigns.
Dancing Woman’s Professional Connections:
The dancing woman, Malin Bogue, is captured in the video wearing a red dress alongside Jack Smith, who is employed by Tory minister Graham Stuart in Parliament.
It has been disclosed that at the time of the video, Bogue was reportedly working for Shaun Bailey’s failed mayoral campaign, which competed against Sadiq Khan in 2021.
Ben Mallet, also seen in the video, was associated with Bailey’s campaign as well.
Both Bogue and Mallet are currently employed by Moz Hossain KC, a barrister seeking the Tory nomination for the upcoming City Hall elections against Khan in May.
Involvement in Campaign Activities:
The Standard has obtained information suggesting that Ms. Bogue accompanied Mr. Hossain to the first Tory mayoral hustings, held at the Queen Elizabeth conference centre.
Furthermore, she attended the invite-only pre-event drinks and revealed her involvement in Hossain’s campaign to several individuals.
It was noted that she utilized a “mozformayor” email address.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Bogue previously worked on Boris Johnson’s campaign in 2019, aiming to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister.
Call for Inquiry and Police Investigation:
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed the need for an inquiry into the actions of the individuals captured in the Partygate video.
He asserted that they should be held accountable for their actions during the party, which took place at Tory headquarters in December 2020, during the lockdown.
The Metropolitan Police, having previously investigated the gathering and found “insufficient evidence to disprove the version of events provided by attendees,” has expressed its intent to review the newly surfaced video.
Response from Political Figures:
While Mr. Bailey, who received a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours, was not visible in the video and reportedly left before the dancing began, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his astonishment that two individuals nominated for honours by Johnson and Rishi Sunak were seen in the video.
The Evening Standard reached out to Mr. Mallet to inquire if Mr. Hossain had requested him and Ms. Bogue to step aside but received no response at the time of publication.
Outrage and Criticism:
Families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic have expressed anger over the Partygate video, which depicts staffers drinking and dancing at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
Particularly infuriating is a statement heard in the video, saying, “As long as we don’t stream that we’re, like, bending the rules.”
The event occurred when indoor socializing was prohibited, while people across the country remained separated from their family and friends.
Calls for Accountability:
Prominent figures within the political landscape, such as Michael Gove, the Levelling-Up Secretary, and former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, have condemned the party shown in the video, describing it as indefensible.
Buckland has urged those implicated in the event to decline the honors they have been bestowed.
Furthermore, it has come to light that Moz Hossain’s campaign team includes several staff members who previously worked for Boris Johnson or Shaun Bailey, including Richard Mark, who served as a parliamentary aide to Johnson during his tenure as Prime Minister.
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