London police are investigating parties in Downing Street during lockdowns. “Garden parties”, Christmas meals, birthday parties: there would have been at least 19 over the past two years.
From our correspondent in London,
The first revelations date from two months ago. To justify the delay in reaction, Cressida Dick, the boss of London police, explained that in general, the investigators did not lean a posteriori on offenses which should have been sanctioned with a fine.
Unequal treatment that shocks the British
But the British find it difficult to admit that breaches of health restrictions can go unpunished. Some have also started appeals against the fines received during the confinements, using the same justifications as the Prime Minister: “ I didn’t know I was breaking the rules », « no one told me it was wrong ” Where ” it was a business meeting “. To explain this reversal, Cressida Dick explains that the credibility and legitimacy of the Metropolitan Police of London, the Met, were threatened and maintains that the police operate in complete impartiality, despite their excellent relations with Downing Street.
An investigation had already been opened into the parties, but it was an administrative investigation, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray internally. Even if this investigation is welcome, and that Sue Gray enjoys a solid reputation, the British keep in mind that she is under the orders of Boris Johnson, as a civil servant… And that she has no power, other than reporting the facts. This internal investigation will feed the judicial investigation.
Evidence that never stops falling
One of the reasons the Met delayed was that they wanted to make sure they could collect evidence. But evidence, Sue Gray accumulates. Emails, text messages, surveillance videos… And testimonies from Downing Street security officers: this was undoubtedly the straw that broke the camel’s back! That the police report the offenses they have witnessed, without intervening or sanctioning. The credibility of the police was again undermined.
What sanctions for Boris Johnson?
Legally, the Prime Minister could be questioned by the police. If violations are proven, he could be fined. The consequences of Sue Gray’s investigation, on the other hand, are less obvious. Its role is not to impose any sanction but to say whether or not the events in Downing Street fell within the scope of the offence. His investigation could be published in the coming days – the police do not mind.
Tory MPs are awaiting his conclusions to decide whether or not to withdraw their confidence in Boris Johnson – if they are more than 54, the Conservative party will be able to choose a new leader. The opposition demands the departure of the Prime Minister, in the name of morality (the rulers cannot break the rules they set themselves, they believe). For the moment and for two weeks, a very long time in politics, the head of government seems completely impervious to calls for resignation.
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