Watch: DUP's Jim Shannon overcome with emotion in Parliament during Downing Street party debate

DUP MP Jim Shannon was overcome with emotion as he spoke in Parliament on reports of a drinks party held at Downing Street during the first lockdown.

An email shared exclusively with ITV News provides the first evidence of a party on May 20, 2020, when the rest of the country was banned from meeting more than one other person outdoors.

The email was sent by the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds to over 100 employees in Number 10, including advisors, speechwriters and door staff.

Mr Reynolds said they should "make the most of the lovely weather", despite the UK being under tough coronavirus restrictions banning groups from meeting socially outdoors when the message was sent.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Strangford MP Jim Shannon asked Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis if there would be a “full and complete disclosure” of the investigation into the party.

"In Northern Ireland we reached the milestone of 3,000 deaths due to Covid just last week, including my mother-in-law, who died alone,” he said.

He asked any investigation fully and completely disclose the facts, before struggling with his emotions and retaking his seat. He apologised to the Speaker before doing so.

• Video report by UTV Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne

Mr Ellis apologised for his loss saying the investigation's findings would be made public.

Labour had asked the Prime Minister to respond in the House of Commons but he sent a minister in his place.

That was met with fury by MPs, with a number angry that their loved ones were forced to die alone due to the PM's own Covid rules, which he apparently ignored by allegedly attending the party with his wife.

NI Secretary Brandon Lewis refused to be drawn on the matter saying he would not discuss the matter while an investigation was taking place.

He did say Mr Johnson had his confidence to do the job.