Boris Johnson latest news: Police to re-examine No 10 Christmas quiz as dozens
Boris Johnson pictured with champagne and tinsel at No 10 Christmas quiz
More than 50 people will be contacted by the police as part of the investigation into lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police says it is pushing ahead with the Partygate probe “at pace” and will send questionnaires about the gatherings to people believed to have taken part by the end of the week.
The questionnaires have formal legal status and must be answered truthfully as part of what the force has dubbed ‘Operation Hillman’.
It comes as Scotland Yard said it is reviewing its assessment that a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz did not meet the threshold for criminal investigation – after an image surfaced of Boris Johnson near an open bottle of wine.
The photo published by The Mirror today shows the PM and three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another in a Santa hat, alongside what seems to be an uncorked bottle of fizz and an open bag of crisps.
Indoor social mixing was banned in London at the time.
The Met previously decided not to include the 15 December 2020 gathering among the 12 it is investigating.
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Laurie Churchman9 February 2022 22:41
Partygate: Seven days, eight dates, and more than 50 questionnaires
More than 50 people contacted by the Metropolitan Police this week over the Partygate investigation have seven days to give the force information.
The Met is emailing people believed to have taken part in gatherings on eight dates.
They will have to fill out questionnaires that have formal legal status. They “must be answered truthfully,” the Met said.
Its probe into alleged breaches of Covid rules in Downing Street and Whitehall is examining more than 500 documents and 300 images provided by the Cabinet Office.
The investigation, named Operation Hillman, will also be requesting further information from the Cabinet Office, the Met said.
Laurie Churchman9 February 2022 21:45
Met considers call to investigate Boris Johnson under anti-bribery laws over luxury flat refurb
Labour’s lawyers wrote to the Metropolitan Police to call for the probe following the release, last month, of WhatsApp messages the prime minister exchanged with Lord Brownlow.
They revealed Mr Johnson told the donor he was “on the great exhibition plan”, as he described his Downing Street rooms as “a bit of a tip” – and pleaded for more money for the £142,000 refurbishment.
Laurie Churchman9 February 2022 21:17
‘Drip drip’ of evidence could be damaging to PM
The Met’s latest announcements will raise fears among the prime minister’s supporters over the danger of a further “drip drip” of damaging evidence emerging as the investigation proceeds, Lizzie Dearden and Andrew Woodcock report below.
Mr Johnson’s former top adviser Dominic Cummings suggested there are further pictures of an alleged “Abba party” held in Mr Johnson’s 11 Downing Street flat on the evening of his resignation in November 2020.
The Met is currently investigating whether Covid…
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