Police launch probe into Sir Keir ‘beergate’
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he is “confident no rules were broken” after it was announced he is to be investigated by police amid allegations that he broke lockdown rules last year.
The Labour leader – who repeatedly called for Boris Johnson to resign over rule-breaking in Downing Street – told reporters yesterday evening: “Obviously I understand the police need to do their job, we need to let them get on with that but I’m confident there was no breach of the rules.”
Durham Constabulary announced yesterday it was investigating the claims following receipt of “significant new information”, having previously said they did not believe an offence had been established.
The police 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.
The Labour leader – on a victory lap of England following some successes in Thursday’s local council elections – earlier declined to answer questions from reporters in Carlisle yesterday afternoon 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.”
The police announcement appears timed to coincide with the end of the local elections. A police statement yesterday afternoon 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 no further action would be taken.
“Following the receipt of significant new information, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position and now, following the conclusion of the pre-election period, we can confirm an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted.”
Sir Keir has repeatedly denied breaching the rules.