London police investigating Downing Street lockdown parties
London police said Tuesday they were investigating Downing Street parties during lockdown, putting further pressure on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick revealed that an investigation was underway in a statement before the London Assembly. She said that Scotland Yard is now investigating “a number of events” at Downing Street.
Mr Johnson’s government has been under fire for allegedly holding events during months in which the nation was under lockdown because of COVID-19.
“The fact that we are now investigating does not, of course, mean that fixed penalty notices will necessarily be issued in every instance and to every person involved,” Dame Cressida said.
“We will not be giving a running commentary on our current investigations.”
In the latest claim, ITV News reported that Mr Johnson attended a party for his birthday in his Downing Street office and later hosted friends in his apartment upstairs in June 2020.
His office denied it, saying that “in line with the rules at the time, the prime minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening”.
The multiple party allegations have infuriated many in Britain, who were barred from meeting with friends and family for months in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
They are being investigated by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray, whose report, expected this week, will be a pivotal moment for the prime minister.
It wasn’t clear which events the police were investigating.
