London police probing Downing Street lockdown parties that fueled crisis for Johnson

LONDON, United Kingdom — London’s police chief on Tuesday said her officers are investigating several parties that took place at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office and government departments during COVID-19 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.

Johnson and his staff will “fully cooperate” with London police, a spokesman said. Johnson believes it is “entirely right” for the Metropolitan Police to investigate, the spokesman told reporters, adding: “It will provide the public with welcome clarity and help draw a line under these events.”

Allegations that a string of parties were held at Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown have shaken Johnson’s government in recent weeks, prompting the worst crisis of his premiership and calls for him to quit.

The latest revelations came on Monday night and saw claims that Johnson broke lockdown rules by having a birthday party at Downing Street on June 19, 2020.

Up to 30 people were present, ITV News alleged. At the time, social gatherings were only permitted among six people outside.

Johnson’s office denied it, saying that “in line with the rules at the time, the prime minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening.”

Members of the media gather outside 10 Downing Street, as Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces fresh allegations of breaking coronavirus rules after Downing Street admitted he had a birthday celebration inside No 10 during the first lockdown, in London, Jan. 25, 2022. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

“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,” 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,” she said.

It wasn’t clear which events the police were investigating.

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.”

Asked why no minutes were taken for this No.10 garden party, during which staff were pictured drinking wine, if it really was a work meeting, Boris Johnson’s spokesman replies that: "minutes aren’t taken in every meeting.”

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He says Carrie was there too because “it’s her garden." pic.twitter.com/h9EQhOfSHO

— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) December 20, 2021

Gray’s investigation is understood to include the claims about the June 19, 2020, birthday party for Johnson. Her report, expected this week, will be a pivotal moment for the prime minister.

The “partygate” allegations have infuriated many in Britain, who were barred from meeting with friends and family for months in 2020 and 2021 to curb the spread of COVID-19.