More than 50 people have been fined over Downing Street parties during lockdown after a police investigation, with Keir Starmer saying the “widespread criminality” calls into question Boris Johnson’s honesty and integrity.
The Metropolitan police said on Tuesday they had made a further 30 referrals in addition to a previous 20 for fixed-penalty notices, as part of Operation Hillman into illegal gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall.
The force has been investigating 12 gatherings, including some in the Downing Street garden, inside No 10, and one in the prime minister’s own residence at No 11.
However, Johnson is not believed to have been fined as yet, with Downing Street saying it would make any penalties public.
Starmer, the Labour leader, told the BBC: “This is further evidence that blows the PM’s defence out of the water. He told the country, he told parliament, that all the rules had been complied with in Downing Street, where he lives and works, and now it is obvious there was widespread criminality.
“I’m afraid it calls into even further question the honesty and integrity of the prime minister, who stood up and said nothing was going on that shouldn’t have been going on. It’s obvious that was wrong and it reflects very badly on the prime minister.”
The Met last gave an update two weeks ago, saying 20 fines had been issued in an initial “tranche” of penalty notices.
Police are refusing to say which of the gatherings have attracted fines, but it has emerged that the party held for Kate Joseph, the former head of the Covid taskforce, and the leaving party for Hannah Young, a No 10 private secretary, were two of the gatherings where some partygoers were issued with penalties.
A third party held by civil servants on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral is also believed to have attracted fines.
Helen MacNamara, the former ethics chief at the Cabinet Office, is the only person so far whose name has emerged in the media as one of those fined. She has apologised, saying she had paid the penalty.
In a statement, the Met said: “The investigation into allegations of breaches of Covid-19 regulations in Whitehall and Downing Street continues to progress. As of Tuesday 12 April 2022 we have made over 50 referrals for fixed penalty notices to the Acro Criminal Records Office for breaches of Covid-19 regulations who, following the referral, issue the FPNs to the individual.
“We are making every effort to progress this investigation at speed, this includes continuing to assess significant amounts of investigative material from which further referrals may be made to Acro.”
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said: “These fines expose the shocking scale of the criminality in Boris Johnson’s No 10. The police have now completely shredded Johnson’s claims that no laws were broken. He cannot be trusted and cannot continue as prime minister.
“No other leader in any other organisation would be allowed to continue after law-breaking on this scale. If Boris Johnson won’t resign, Conservative MPs must show him the door.”