No fines for those at birthday party in Parliament during Covid

The Met says they've concluded all investigations into alleged breaches of Covid regulations No individuals will receive a penalty

National COVID Memorial Wall in front of the Houses of Parliament
Author: Kat WrightPublished 8th Dec 2023
Last updated 8th Dec 2023

No individuals will be fined over a gathering in Parliament in December 2020.

The Metropolitan Police say an investigation into alleged breaches of Covid regulations at an apparent birthday party in Whitehall from December 2020 has closed.

At the time, London was in Tier 2 restrictions - which meant no indoor socialising.

The gathering was said to have been arranged by Commons Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing to celebrate the birthdays of Tory MP Virginia Crosbie and peer Baroness Jenkin

Officers have concluded the gathering did not meet the threshold for the referral of any fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

It brings to an end the force's investigations into alleged breaches of Covid regulations, which previously led to fixed penalty notices for Mr Johnson and then-chancellor Rishi Sunak over a gathering for the former prime minister's 56th birthday.

In a statement, the Met said: "Our approach to the assessment of these allegations has been consistent throughout. The individuals affected have been told there will be no further action.

This now concludes all assessments or investigations by the Met into alleged breaches of Covid regulations."

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