The London police opened an investigation into whether alleged parties at Downing Street over the last two years violated lockdown protocols, a reversal from their previous stance.
Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Cressida Dick confirmed the investigation after determining the parties met the standard for the “most serious and flagrant” violations of pandemic rules. The police previously said they would not investigate because they did not historically investigate coronavirus violations.
“As a result firstly of information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and secondly my officers’ own assessment, I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of COVID-19 regulations,” Dick said on Tuesday, according to CNN.
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Dick said the investigation is warranted because the people involved should have known the parties violated COVID-19 rules and that not investigating would “significantly undermine the legitimacy of the law.”
Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, is already conducting an investigation into the parties and will continue to do so, the Cabinet office told the Associated Press. Gray’s findings were slated to be released sometime this week, but it is unclear whether this will be delayed due to the police investigation.
The police investigation will examine several gatherings that occurred while the country had strict coronavirus restrictions in place.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged and apologized for attending an outdoor garden party in May of 2020 with his staff, saying he believed the gathering was a work gathering that fell under the social distancing rules at the time. However, the party coincided with a reminder from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that outdoor gatherings were allowed within the same household or with one person outside of a household if the people were two meters apart in an outdoor space.
The most recent party allegations center on a birthday party for the prime minister when he hosted friends at his official residence in June 2020. However, Johnson’s office denied the gathering violated pandemic rules because he hosted a small group of his family members in an outdoor setting. At least five other gatherings are under investigation.
A spokesperson said Johnson would cooperate with the investigation.
“I welcome the Met’s decision to conduct its own investigation because I believe this will help to get the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters,” Johnson told British Parliament on Tuesday.
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The investigation has reignited calls for Johnson’s resignation or removal.
If the parties are found to be in transgression, fines of up to 10,000 pounds could be imposed for each violation.
