No more updates on partygate investigation before local elections, Met Police says

The Met Police won’t provide any more updateson partygate investigation until after May 5  (REUTERS)
The Met Police won’t provide any more updateson partygate investigation until after May 5 (REUTERS)

The Met Police will not provide any further updates from its partygate investigation, a spokesman for the force has said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman confirmed the investigation will continue - meaning fines may still be issued - but no updates will be provided until after the local elections on May 5.

A statement read: “Whilst the investigation will continue during the pre-election period, due to the restrictions around communicating before the May local elections, we will not provide further updates until after May 5.”

There are concerns that providing any more updates on their probe could sway voters.

Both the Prime Minister and Rishi Sunak were issued with fixed penalty notices earlier this month as part of the Met’s investigation into the gatherings held in Whitehall and Downing Street.

The two were among at least 50 people who were fined as the force investigates 12 gatherings held in Whitehall and Downing Street.

Following Mr Johnson’s fine, Labour tabled a motion this week calling for the Privileges Committee to investigate if the Prime Minister misled MPs.

MPs debated the motion on Thursday after the Government enacted an 11th hour U-turn on an amendment calling for any inquiry to be delayed, and gave MPs a free vote for the motion.

During the debate, some such as Andrew Magnall, MP for Totnes, claimed the Prime Minister had misled the House and says he still has a no confidence letter lodged with Sir Graham Brady.

Speaking during his trip in India, Mr Johnson said he has “nothing to hide” and claimed any inquiry should wait until the conclusion into the police inquiry ends.