Police will not fine Starmer even if he did break Covid rules with lockdown drinks
SIR KEIR STARMER will not be given a fine even if he is found to have breached lockdown rules because Durham police have a policy of not taking retrospective action against Covid law breakers, sources have told The Daily Telegraph.
The Labour leader has been accused of breaking coronavirus regulations by drinking beer with colleagues in the office of Mary Foy, the MP for Durham, on April 30 last year.
In February, Durham Constabulary said it did not consider Sir Keir’s actions constituted a breach of the rules but the force has come under pressure to review the case after Scotland Yard issued a £50 fine to the Prime Minister for attending a birthday gathering in Downing Street.
Richard Holden, the Conservative MP for North West Durham, has also called for a fresh investigation into Sir Keir’s actions, after claiming to have evidence that a quiz and social event was held by the local Labour Party on the same night.
However, even if police concluded there had been a breach, Durham Constabulary has a long-stated policy of not issuing coronavirus fines retrospectively, meaning Sir Keir is unlikely to ever receive a Fixed Penalty Notice.
In May 2020, Durham police found that Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s most senior aide at the time, “might” have committed a minor breach of the regulations when he drove to Barnard Castle with his family during lockdown.
In a statement issued at the time, the force said: “In line with Durham Constabulary’s general approach throughout the pandemic, there is no intention to take retrospective action in respect of the Barnard Castle incident since this would amount to treating Mr Cummings differently from other members of the public.
“Durham Constabulary has not taken retrospective action against any other person.”
Sources within the force have said it will seek to maintain that policy in order to ensure everybody is treated in the same way.
A source said: “Consistency has to be key in Durham’s approach and we will seek to ensure everyone is treated in the same way under the law.”
Mr Holden first wrote to Durham police earlier this month, following the Metropolitan Police decision to fine Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, Ciaron Irvine, the force’s deputy chief constable, confirmed receipt of the letter and said he would look into the matters raised.
However, a spokesman for Durham
‘Consistency has to be key and we will seek to ensure everyone is treated in the same way under the law’
Constabulary insisted this did not mean that its detectives had reopened their investigation.
The spokesman said: “Durham Constabulary were sent a letter by Richard Holden MP on April 22.
“As a courtesy, we have replied to Mr Holden to confirm we have received that letter and will consider its contents before responding in due course.”
On Wednesday night, Mr Holden sent a second letter claiming to have new evidence that raised fresh concerns over Sir Keir’s actions.
It is understood the force is yet to respond to that letter and is still assessing its contents.