The Metropolitan Police's decision not to issue any further updates on Partygate fines until after May's local elections has drawn criticism, with a human rights barrister saying that withholding information could influence the vote. The Met said restrictions around communicating during the pre-election period - known as Purdah - meant it would not update until after May 5.
A Met spokesman said: "While the investigation will continue during the pre-election period, due to the restrictions around communicating before the May local elections we will not provide further updates until after May 5."
But Adam Wagner, an expert on Covid-19 rules who has been involved in a legal challenge to the Met's initial refusal to investigate lockdown-busting Downing Street parties, questioned whether the police should observe the pre-election period, which typically places limits on Government publicity around elections.
