Durham Tory MP Richard Holden has been accused of wasting police time, after Labour leader Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner were cleared of breaking lockdown rules for a second time.
Mr Holden campaigned earlier this year for police to reinvestigate a work event held in the offices of Mary Foy MP, saying that there were questions to answer after Sir Keir was videoed drinking a bottle of beer over a takeaway curry with colleagues.
At the time, non-essential retail and outdoor venues including pub gardens were open, but social distancing rules – which included a ban on indoor mixing between households – remained in place.
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Durham Police initially investigated and found there was no evidence of rule-breaking, but looked at the case again following the intervention of Mr Holden.
Ms Foy, who previously clashed with Mr Holden in the Commons over the incident, said scarce police resources had been wasted on the investigation.
She said: "I am delighted Durham police have investigated and concluded that neither I or my team have a case to answer in relation the work visit in Durham om 30th April 2021.
"I would like to thank officers for their professionalism and diligence throughout the investigation.
"However, it is unfortunate that the desire of some Conservative politicians to score political points has led to so much of Durham Police’s time being focused on a matter that was already investigated, especially when their resources are already under significant pressure.
"After the pressure of the last few months, I am enormously appreciative for the understanding of my staff and their families have shown in the face of significant intrusion from the right wing media, including their children and parents being door-stepped.
"Now that this matter has been put to rest, I will continue to focus my efforts on serving my constituents both in Durham and in Westminster, as well as on holding what is left of this shambolic government to account during this cost of living crisis.
"I would like to thank my solicitor, Martin Howe of Howe + Co for their advice and guidance in this high profile matter”.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinnes added: "Richard Holden and the Tory Party knew that Boris Johnson was an untrustworthy law-breaker who was toxic with the public and so set out on a plan to bring everyone down to his level.
"They threw muck and hoped it would stick. But instead, Richard's plan backfired.
"Keir showed what honour and integrity mean in public office and promised to resign if Durham Police found against him.
"It was clear from the start that no rules were broken, and any reasonable Tory politician knew that. The only problem was some of them didn't care. They tried to put political pressure on Durham Police in the hope they would do their job for them as the Tories set out to spread doubt and distrust.
"I hope now Boris is set to depart, his acolytes abandon his Trump-like policies of lies and division and finally turn their attention to the cost of living crisis facing families across our country.
"I'll be at the Durham miners Gala tomorrow where no doubt we'll be talking about the ongoing cost of living crisis that is affecting all of us while the Tory Party continues to ignore this crisis - I hope real change comes soon."
In the wake of the police findings, Mr Holden took to social media to say: "After protestations from some of my team, I want to reassure my constituents that my staff have been told that curry and beer are not “reasonably necessary for work” and anyone thinking of turning up intoxicated & smelling like a “greasy night” out will get short shrift."
ChronicleLive has contacted Mr Holden for comment.
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