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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Howard Lloyd

Metropolitan Police launches fresh investigation over Covid rule breaches following Partygate video

The Metropolitan Police says it has reopened its investigation into potential Covid regulation breaches during an event at Conservative Campaign Headquarters in December 2020. The force has launched a new probe into a gathering in Parliament during the same month.

A statement from the force said: "The Met is now re-opening an investigation into potential breaches of the regulations at an event in Matthew Parker Street on 14 December 2020."

Footage obtained by the Mirror emerged of a party with people drinking and dancing on that date while Covid-19 lockdown rules were in place. The Coronavirus tier two restrictions meant there was supposed to be no mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles, and only six people were allowed to meet - socially distanced - outside..

A statement from the Met added: "Following assessment of material relating to a gathering in Parliament, the Met is opening an investigation into potential breaches of the Regulations at an event on 8 December 2020."

Police added that Boris Johnson will not face further action. Scotland Yard said that a 'number of other events' at Downing Street and Chequers, which were believed to involve Mr Johnson in 2020 and 2021, would not be probed further.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Based on an assessment of that material and an account provided regarding the diary entries, and also having sought some further clarification, the Met and Thames Valley Police have each assessed the events in their jurisdiction and concluded that they do not meet the retrospective criteria for opening an investigation.

“The approach to the assessment of these events has been consistent, enforcing the law carefully, thoroughly, proportionately, impartially and without fear or favour.”

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