Partygate: Police announce two investigations – however new Boris Johnson allegations not amongst them
Two investigations into partygate gatherings involving senior Tories have been introduced by the Met Police.
One is a re-investigation into claims of a COVID rule-breaching social gathering by employees of former Conservative London mayoral candidate, Shaun Bailey, in December 2020.
In a press launch, the drive stated: “The Met is now re-opening an investigation into potential breaches of the regulations at an event in Matthew Parker Street on 14 December 2020.”
That date is identical day that footage was taken showing workers on Mr Bailey’s 2021 London mayoral campaign dancing and mingling whereas the capital was in Tier 2 of COVID restrictions.
The drive added: “Following assessment of material relating to a gathering in Parliament, the Met is opening an investigation into potential breaches of the Regulations at an event on 8 December 2020.”
That occasion was a birthday celebration held for Baroness Jenkin – spouse of senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin – in Parliament on 8 December 2020.
Sir Bernard, who sits on the Commons Privileges Committee, which final month printed a extremely important report about Boris Johnson, didn’t deny to reporters that he was in attendance on the occasion when the claims had been first printed by the Guido Fawkes web site final month.
The Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley additionally stated it had determined to not open an investigation into claims of rule-breaching events at Downing Street and Chequers – the official nation residence of British prime ministers – between June 2020 and May 2021.
These relate to 16 occasions “without any prior notice” and which had been marked in Mr Johnson’s official diaries as prime minister.
The content material of the diaries – which had been requested by the COVID enquiry final month and are actually the topic of a High Court battle – had been referred to the police by the Cabinet Office.
Scotland Yard stated that “based on an assessment of that material and an account provided regarding the diary entries” it had concluded that the occasions “do not meet the retrospective criteria for opening an investigation”.
Responding to the Met Police’s announcement, a Conservative Party spokesperson stated: “Senior CCHQ staff became aware of an unauthorised social gathering in the basement of Matthew Parker Street organised by the Bailey campaign on the evening of 14th December 2020.
“Formal disciplinary motion was taken towards the 4 CCHQ employees who had been seconded to the Shaun Bailey marketing campaign.”
Mr Bailey previously apologised “unreservedly” after a video was published by the Sunday Mirror of his staff partying in lockdown and that he was “very upset” to see the footage.
Mr Bailey – who was working to exchange Sadiq Khan within the 2021 London mayoral contest – had previously been pictured at the event however was not seen in the newest footage.
Read extra:
Shaun Bailey apologises ‘unreservedly’ for staff-partying video
Tory party staff filmed drinking and dancing during COVID lockdown
Responding to the Met Police’s announcement, the Liberal Democrats called for Mr Bailey – who was nominated for a peerage in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours – to be prevented from taking up a seat in the House of Lords.
“Rishi Sunak wants to substantiate he’ll name for honours to be stripped from anybody discovered to have damaged the regulation,” said Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper.
“Anything much less would make an entire mockery of his pledge to steer with integrity.
“He should also step in to stop Shaun Bailey from taking his seat as a peer while this investigation takes place.”
The Metropolitan Police beforehand issued 126 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPNs) referrals following a probe into claims of COVID rule breaching events at Downing Street and Whitehall – an investigation named Operation Hillman.