In what may be the final blow for Boris Johnson, London’s police chief says she is investigating several parties at his office while the country was in lockdown.
London’s police chief has confirmed her officers are investigating several parties that took place at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office and government departments during Covid lockdowns.
“The Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told the London Assembly local authority.
Allegations that a string of parties were held at Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown have shaken Mr Johnson’s government in recent weeks, prompting the worst crisis of his prime ministership with calls growing louder for him to quit.
The latest revelations came on Monday night and saw claims that Mr Johnson broke lockdown rules by having a birthday party at Downing Street on June 19, 2020.
The Prime Minister turned 56 on that day with No10 confirming staff gathered to wish him well in the Cabinet Room when indoor social mixing was banned.
It is claimed his then fiancee Carrie surprised the PM with a cake and led a chorus of Happy Birthday with at least 30 staff members.
No10 insisted that the PM was there for “less than ten minutes” after staff had “gathered briefly” after a meeting.
At the time, social gatherings were only permitted between six people outside.
“I should stress that the fact that we are now investigating does not of course mean that fixed penalty notices (fines) will necessarily be issued in every instance and to every person involved,” Ms Dick told the Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee.
“We will not be giving a running commentary on our current investigations. But I can assure you that we will give updates at significant points as we would generally do.”
Several members of Mr John son’s own conservative party have called for him to quit including MPs Andrew Bridgen, Roger Gale, Tim Loughton, Tim Loughton, Douglas Ross and William Wragg. Tory MP Christian Wakeford even left the party defected to Labour in the fallout over what is being dubbed “Partygate”.
A senior civil servant, Sue Gray, is also conducting an investigation into the string of allegations and is expected to publish her investigation soon.
Speculation has swirled that she would have to pause her fact-finding probe if the police become involved.
But a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The investigation being carried out by Sue Gray is continuing. There is ongoing contact with the Metropolitan Police Service.”
Ms Gray’s investigation is understood to include the claims about the June 19, 2020 birthday party for Mr Johnson.
Originally published as London police chief Cressida Dick investigating lockdown parties at Boris Johnson’s office
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