In England, the London Police Service (Met) has completed its investigation into the drinking parties held in the garden of the Prime Minister’s Residence while the coronavirus restrictions continue. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie Johnson, will not receive new sentences as a result of the investigation.
Both were fined for a party for Boris Johnson’s birthday at the Prime Minister’s Residence in June 2020.
Saying that the investigation has ended, the Met announced that 126 fines were imposed on 83 people in total as part of the events held on eight different dates.
A new sentence was expected to be given to Johnson, who was reported to have attended six of these events by the public.
In the investigation, police examined 510 photographs, as well as footage, e-mails, logs of entry to buildings and witness statements.
Some sources told the BBC that Simon Case, Minister of State for Cabinet and Public Personnel, will not be punished as part of the investigation.
Case resigned from his role in leading another government investigation when it was revealed that he was holding a party at his office in December. After that, the investigation was given to senior bureaucrat Sue Gray.
Gray is expected to complete and publish his investigation next week, after police complete their own investigation.
Earlier, some Conservative Party MPs, of which Johnson is a member, said that they would comment on the future of the Prime Minister after the publication of the final report.
According to the information obtained by the BBC, about 20 lawmakers called for a vote of confidence for Johnson regarding the crisis.
Johnson is also facing a parliamentary inquiry into whether he misled parliament about his violation of Covid-19 restrictions. Once the police have completed their investigation, a committee from the House of Commons will begin its own investigation.
Sir Keir Starmer, Chairman of the Labor Party, said the number of fines was a clear indication of breaking the rules at the Prime Minister’s Residence.
Stating that his view on the Prime Minister has not changed, Starmer also repeated his call for Johnson to resign.
Also about Starmer, due to an event he attended in April 2021 Police investigation started. The event in question took place during a campaign visit. The Labor Party leader argues that the event, where he ate and had a beer, was a business meeting, did not violate the rules, and said he would resign from his post if he was sentenced.
“Sue Gray’s completed report needs to be published without delay and a parliamentary inquiry into Johnson’s lies is needed,” said Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
Davey continued:
“While Boris Johnson was partying, the public made great sacrifices. The public deserves to know the whole truth.”
The end of the police investigation means that Johnson was not fined for the garden party he attended on Downing Street in May 2020, to which nearly 100 people were invited.
The Met confirmed that other people attending the party were fined for their presence at the event.
What does the investigation involve?
Investigations include parties held at the Prime Minister’s Residence and several other ministry buildings, where Johnson both lived and worked.
Covid restrictions were in place in the UK at the time the parties were held, with more than two people not allowed to gather at home in most areas. Various restrictions were still in effect outdoors.
On May 20, 2020, about 100 people were invited to a party in the garden of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Invitees were asked to follow social distancing rules and bring their drinks.
Some of those who witnessed the party told the BBC that about 30 people attended the party, and Johnson and his then-fiancée, Carrie Symonds, were also there.
Johnson confirmed he was attending for 25 minutes, but said he attended the party “thinking it was a business event”.
In June 2020, they met again at the Prime Minister’s Residence to celebrate Johnson’s birthday and cut a cake. Prime Ministry employees claimed that the celebration lasted less than 10 minutes.
December 2020 was the strictest of Covid restrictions in London. During this period and in the months that followed, it became clear that several more parties were organized in the office of the ruling Conservative Party.
It was revealed that in April 2021, two parties were held that broke the Covid rules, one day before the funeral of Prince Philip, the wife of Queen Elizabeth II.
Whereas, Queen Elizabeth II sat alone the next day during the funeral to follow the same rules. The country was in mourning at this time, with the flag at Buckingham Palace at half-mast.
The Prime Minister was fined by the police for attending his birthday party with his wife, Carrie Johnson, and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, for violating the quarantine rules imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Johnson had previously told lawmakers that no Covid rules were violated at the Prime Minister’s Residence. Opposition parties accused Johnson of misdirecting parliament.
Knowingly misleading the parliament is against the rules that the prime minister and ministers must follow.
Accordingly, the minister or prime minister who violates this rule must resign, and the opposition is calling for Johnson to resign.
In his speech in the House of Commons, Johnson answered “No” to questions about whether he had deliberately misled parliament.
Analysis by BBC Policy editor Chris Mason:
Anger among Conservative lawmakers had softened long before. It will get lighter for now.
But we await Gray’s report, which may bring further political embarrassment to Johnson.
And remember, the same goes for the Labor Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
Starmer is also awaiting the outcome of the investigation by Durham Police. He and his lawyers are as confident as possible that he will be acquitted.
But that’s not certain either.