After party outcry, Britain implores people: obey COVID-19 rules

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Health Secretary Sajid Javid walks at Downing Street in London, Britain, December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Thursday implored people to obey tougher restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, after revelations about alleged lockdown parties at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's residence provoked an outcry over hypocrisy.

Johnson imposed restrictions on England on Wednesday, just hours after apologising for a video apparently showing staff laughing about a party in Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas COVID-19 lockdown when such festivities were banned.