The London Metropolitan Police announced this Tuesday (25) the opening of a criminal investigation into the series of parties held in Downing Street, the seat of the UK government, during the periods of restriction to contain the Covid pandemic in the country.
The decision comes after police received solid evidence about the episodes through an investigation led by the British Cabinet, according to Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
Local newspapers have revealed, for weeks, parties involving Prime Minister Boris Johnson and figures from his surroundings, information that led to the biggest crisis faced by the conservative politician.
The matter is also being investigated by the government itself, in an investigation led by Sue Gray, second permanent cabinet secretary, who took over the case after Simon Case resigned from the post – a celebration held in his office came to light and made his stay untenable.
According to the statement read by a spokesperson, the parallel investigation will continue even with the announcement by the metropolitan police. The report produced by Gray was expected to be published later this week, with revelations that could further complicate matters for Boris, but release of findings could be delayed until the police investigation is complete.
Metropolitan officials asked the office to share all available information to support police investigations, according to a statement read after the criminal investigation was announced. It was not clarified which events are being investigated.
Police investigations into rule-breaking during lockdown periods in the UK have been infrequent throughout the health crisis, prompting criticism. Asked about the matter, Commissioner Dick said that the corporation’s resources are finite and that the situation was aggravated because many agents were removed after becoming infected with Covid. “I think the general public would understand that we need to focus on violent crime, terrorism and other priorities.”
The opening of the criminal investigation comes a day after broadcaster ITV News revealed that Boris held a party to celebrate his birthday during the UK’s first lockdown in June 2020, when indoor social gatherings were banned. Up to 30 people reportedly attended the event at the prime minister’s official residence.
Even though the police investigation is yet another burden for Boris, who faces criticism from the labor opposition and even from his co-religionists, as well as, of course, public discredit, the punishment foreseen for those who disrespect sanitary restrictions consists of the application of pre-fixed fines with low values.
The penalty for meetings of more than 15 people, for example, is £800 (£5,900), which can be reduced to £400 if paid within two weeks and up to £6,400 if the infraction is repeated. five times. The values ​​were established in England a year ago.
It is not rare, however, cases in which the police authorities limit themselves to giving a moral warning, instead of imposing a pre-established fine. Lawmaker Neil Coyle recalled on social media that seven weeks ago he urged the police to investigate the case. Commissioner Dick told The Guardian that she had “serious questions to answer as to why the investigation could only be launched now”.
Several parties were held in Downing Street during the period of isolation. One of them took place on the eve of the funeral of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. Employees in Boris’s office drank alcohol, and some danced, at two separate events, according to The Telegraph.
Boris went to Parliament on January 12 to ask for “sincere apologies” for participating in an event by his team that broke the country’s confinement rules. He then addressed the same words to Queen Elizabeth II due to the festivities the day before the prince’s funeral, when the United Kingdom was in mourning.
Another event, in May 2020, featured an invitation asking guests to bring their own drink to “make the most of the pleasant weather and have a few drinks with social distancing in the Downing Street Gardens”. Boris and his wife Carrie Johnson reportedly attended the event.
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