Boris Johnson is to dodge commenting on the partygate scandal for months and Downing Street will not name those members of staff who have been issued fines for breaching lockdown.
Downing Street said on Tuesday the Prime Minister would not address the scandal again until the full Sue Gray report is released.
It is not believed Johnson is among those set to receive fines, and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve said we’ll update if that were to occur, but our position has not changed.”
He said it was “important to note” where the police were in the process in referring the cases to the ACRO Criminal Records Office, which would be responsible for issuing the penalties.
Asked if the Met therefore had not informed No 10 about whether the PM was one of the referrals, the spokesman said: “That’s correct.”
Beyond the Prime Minister, it is not anticipated that the names of those who receive fines over any partygate involvement would be released, even if they were members of Boris Johnson’s family or office.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The identities of people dealt with in this way would not be released or confirmed, that’s what the Met themselves have made clear.
“Obviously recognising the significant public interest in the Prime Minister we are committed to updating should that occur in his case.”
But he said this would not apply to others in the PM’s family or his office.
Asked if Downing Street staff had been asked to tell No 10 if they received a fixed penalty notice, he said: “No, as you know, there is a process here and the Met themselves set that out, obviously a number of officials – not just in Downing Street but beyond – took part in Sue Gray’s investigation where they provided information. But as relates to this specific process, no they would not.”
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