By Ben Kerrigan-
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been told he faces no further action after police closed their Partygate investigation, No 10 says.
Mr Johnson’s wife, Carrie, will also not receive a further fine, according to updated information from the Met Police.
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The Met has confirmed they are taking no further action as regards the prime minister,” Johnson’s official spokesperson said.
The married couple were both fined last month for breaking Covid laws at a birthday party for Mr Johnson in Downing Street in June 2020.
Metropolitan Police said the inquiry into lockdown breaches in and around Downing Street has now come to an end.
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A statement by the Met Police read: the Met said that while it did not routinely investigate historical Covid breaches, it would do so if there was evidence those involved knew they were breaking rules, where the case was clear, and “where not investigating would significantly undermine the legitimacy of the law”.
“There is no doubt that the pandemic impacted all of us in so many ways and strong feelings and opinions have been expressed on this particular issue.
“Our investigation was thorough and impartial and was completed as quickly as we could, given the amount of information that needed to be reviewed and the importance of ensuring that we had strong evidence for each FPN referral.
“This investigation is now complete.”
The investigation resulted in a total of 126 fines, known as Fixed Penalty Notices, being issued for events across eight different dates.
In total 83 people have been issued with fines, the force added, with 28 people facing between two and five fines.
Johnson’s next hurdle is the publication of the full report into illicit gatherings by the senior civil servant Sue Gray, which officials say will be published next week.
A brief, interim version of Gray’s report was published, but the full details were delayed for the police investigation. Gray has had access to significant amounts of information including photos of events, thought it seems unlikely these will be released.
“The PM is pleased that the investigation is concluded, and would like to thank the Met for their work,” his spokesman said.
The spokesperson said Gray’s report would be published, “as received” from the senior civil servant
The ending of the police inquiry will lead to the next stage the publication of the full report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into lockdown gatherings.
The full report is expected to be published next week.
There had been much outrage my Mps, many of whom had called for the prime minister’s resignation over partygate, but the prime minister’s staunch supporters always stood by him.
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