Starmer to face investigation into Durham drinks
SIR Keir Starmer is to be investigated by police amid allegations that he broke lockdown rules last year, following receipt of “significant new information”, Durham Constabulary said.
The U-turn follows mounting pressure on the force to re-examine the allegations after footage emerged of the Labour leader drinking a beer with reportedly up to 30 colleagues at a constituency office in Durham in April 2021 during campaigning for the Hartlepool by-election.
Sir Keir previously called on Boris Johnson to “do the decent thing and resign” following confirmation the Prime Minister was being investigated by police for breaking lockdown rules earlier this year.
The Labour leader – on a victory lap of England following some successes in Thursday’s local council elections – declined to answer questions from reporters in Carlisle yesterday after police confirmed their change of heart.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “We’re obviously happy to answer any questions there are and we remain clear that no rules were broken.”
Durham Constabulary previously said they did not believe an offence had been established.
A police statement yesterday said: “Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary carried out an assessment as to whether Covid-19 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.”
Police did not elaborate on what the new information involved.
Allegations against Sir Keir refused to subside in the run-up to the elections.
At the time of the alleged gathering, non-essential retail and outdoor venues including pub gardens were open but social distancing rules, which included a ban on indoor mixing between households, remained in place.
Sir Keir has repeatedly denied breaching the rules. In January, he said the Prime Minister “needs to do the decent thing and resign” after he became embroiled in lockdown breach allegations.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner, who was with Sir Keir at the Durham gathering in April 2021, also questioned Mr Johnson’s suitability as Prime Minister.
She wrote on Twitter: “Boris Johnson’s Downing Street is under police investigation, how on earth can he think he can stay on as Prime Minister?”
Durham MP Richard Holden, who has led the charge urging police to investigate, said: “I’m delighted that the police have finally come to this conclusion.
“After seeing all the evidence so far, I think it’s the only reasonable conclusion anybody could have come to.
“After denying that there should be any investigation for weeks, I’m glad that the actions of the Labour leader, the deputy leader and the senior staff will now be properly looked at. I await the outcome of their enquiries.”