Boris Johnson will argue that he did not break Covid-19 laws on the night of the alleged 'Abba party' because he was working in the Downing Street flat at the time, it has been reported.
The Prime Minister received a questionnaire from the Met Police last night as part of their inquiry into Downing Street lockdown breaking parties.
He is one of 50 partygoers who have been contacted by police in regards to parties held during lockdown in Downing Street and Whitehall and who face being fined for breaking Covid laws
Mr Johnson is believed to have been at six parties out of the 12 being investigated by the cops.
One of those reportedly took place on November 13, 2020, the day after Dominic Cummings stood down as his advisper.
Should the PM be fined? Have your say in the comment section
Abba songs including The Winner Takes It All were allegedly among the tunes played at the alleged party on November 13, 2020, reportedly held to celebrate the departure of the former chief adviser and attended by the PM's now-wife, Carrie Johnson.
Now, according to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson will tell police he did not break Covid laws and that he was "working" in the Downing Street flat at the time.
The paper reports the PM is expected to mount a robust defence that the flat can be a workplace and that was why he was there on the night of November 13, 2020.
And allies of the PM highlighted that civil servant Sue Gray's "update" report did itself make reference to the supposed dual function of the Downing Street flat.
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Ms Gray wrote: "The Prime Minister’s flat and the Downing Street garden are in close proximity to the offices and serve a dual office and private purpose."
The Telegraph quotes one Tory source as saying: "On the basis of all the facts we know, he was always in either his home, his garden, or his workplace during the events being looked at.
“The PM has always got a legitimate reason to be there. I think it’s quite hard to fine Boris. It’s highly unlikely that he organised any of this stuff.”
A No 10 spokesman last night (Friday) confirmed the Prime Minister was contacted by the cops and he said he would “respond as required”.
The probe has been called Operation Hillman.
The Met said its investigation was being carried out "at pace" and that those contacted will initially fill out a questionnaire.
A No 10 spokesperson said: "We can confirm the Prime Minister has received a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police. He will respond as required."
Mr Johnson is expected to personally hire his own private lawyer who will guide him on how to respond to the questions.
The Met has warned the forms have “legal status and must be answered truthfully”.
The Mirror understands the Prime Minister has seven days to respond, outlining his “reasonable excuse” for why his attendance at the parties did not break the Covid laws he set.
It is unclear what would happen if the PM is found to have breached coronavirus laws his own government wrote.
Senior Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan smith has warned that the PM would find it "very tough" to remain in office if police issue him with a fine as a result of their investigation.
"I think it would be very tough for anyone to remain after that," he said.
"If you've set the laws, and you break them and the police decide you have broken them... and then there's the unredacted (Sue Gray) report - the two things will come together."
