Met will investigate gatherings if Cabinet Office passes on evidence

POLICE will only investigate Downing Street gatherings if the Cabinet Office has evidence of criminal wrongdoing, Scotland Yard said last night.

The Metropolitan Police said rather than carry out its own inquiries into the allegations, it would allow the Cabinet Office to complete its work before deciding to take matters further.

Pressure has been building on Scotland Yard to investigate claims that Downing Street and Whitehall staff breached coronavirus regulations by attending parties during lockdown.

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, told the Commons he had attended a party in the garden of No10 on May 20, 2020, but had thought it was a “work event”. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, wrote to Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, demanding that Mr Johnson be questioned under caution.

Scotland Yard said it did not routinely investigate breaches of the coronavirus regulations retrospectively and would only do so if “significant evidence” emerged. A spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police is aware of reporting relating to alleged breaches of the Health Protection Regulations at Downing Street and Department for Education on various dates and has received correspondence in relation to this.

“The Met has followed the national 4 Es approach of enforcing the regulations. Where live ongoing breaches of the restrictions were identified, officers engaged with those present, explained the current restrictions, encouraged people to adhere to them, and only as a last resort moved to enforcement.

“Officers do not normally investigate breaches of coronavirus regulations if they are reported long after they are said to have taken place. However, if significant evidence suggesting a breach becomes available, officers may review and consider it.

“The Cabinet Office is conducting an inquiry into gatherings at No 10 and the Department for Education. The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this. If the inquiry identifies evidence of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration.”