Starmer to be investigated by the police over ‘Beergate’ allegations
POLICE have confirmed they are investigating a gathering by Labour during lockdown, taking the shine off the party’s election success.
The incident, which has been dubbed “Beergate”, took place last April in Durham while the party was preparing for a local election.
It has been under scrutiny after Sir Keir Starmer was photographed through a window, holding a beer in a room with others.
At the time socialising was not permitted indoors except with people from within your own household.
Sir Keir has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he and his team were working late on the election and stopped to have a takeaway and a drink before going back to work.
Yesterday, the Labour leader was asked about the police probe, saying he was still confident there was “no breach of the rules”.
He sought to steer the conversation on to the local election success when challenged by reporters.
Sir Keir said: “I have said this a number of times. We were working in the office, we stopped for something to eat. No party. No breach of the rules.
“The police have obviously got their
jobs to do and we should let them get on with it, but I’m confident that no rules were broken.
“Meanwhile, we’ve had a really good set of results today.”
In Scotland the party came second behind the SNP, while in England it managed to snatch key councils of Westminster and Wandsworth, former Tory strongholds.
Sir Keir said last week that Durham police had not been in touch with him regarding the incident and the force had already said they were satisfied no breaches had occurred.
However, a statement issued yesterday afternoon said they were now investigating, after “significant” new information had been passed to them.
A spokesperson from the force said: “Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary carried out an assessment as to whether Covid-i9 regulations had been breached at a gathering in
Durham City on April 30, 2021.
“At that time, it was concluded that no offence had been established and therefore no further action would be taken.
“Following the receipt of significant new information over recent days, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position and now, following the conclusion of the pre-election period, we can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted.”
Critics of the Labour Party have likened the event to that for which Boris Johnson received a police fine, for having some food and drink in Downing Street on his 56th birthday while in the middle of a busy working day.
At this time indoor gatherings were also banned.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “We’re obviously happy to answer any questions there are and we remain clear that no rules were broken.”
Conservative MP for North West
Durham Richard Holden said the police are doing “exactly the right thing” in investigating potential lockdown breaches involving Sir Keir.
Mr Holden, who had been pressing police to investigate after presenting new evidence, said: “It’s vital that the man who wants to be prime minister is held to the same standard as the Prime Minister and everybody else.”
Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and shadow attorney general, said she was confident no rules had been broken and welcomed any questions from the police.
She said: “I’m confident that the rules haven’t been broken, the police will come to that conclusion, that’s the end of it.”
The police investigation creates an uncomfortable situation for Sir Keir, however, after he repeatedly called for Mr Johnson to resign even before the Prime Minister received a fine.
On January 15 this year, the day the Met confirmed they were investigating allegations of rule breaches in Downing Street, Sir Keir said things are “as bad as it gets for the Prime Minister, for the Conservative Party and for the country”.
He added: “Some of his Cabinet now need to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves why they’re still supporting this Prime Minister.”
I’m confident that no rules were broken