The police have been investigating a series of gatherings held in Downing Street and Whitehall when Covid rule were in place
(Picture: PA Wire)Downing Street staff will not have to disclose to their bosses if they have been fined for attending lockdown busting parties, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman has said.
The Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday morning it had sent a batch of 20 fixed penalty notices to the Criminal Records Office (ACRO) to be forwarded to the guilty offenders, the force insisted it would not be naming any of those receiving fines.
No10 said it had not been informed if Boris Johnson was among the first batch of names although it repeated that it will disclose an update on the Prime Minister once the investigation is complete.
But asked if Downing Street staff would have to reveal if they have broken the law, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “I don’t believe so.”
He added: “They [the Met] have as I understand it made referrals to ACRO. Beyond that 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.”
The spokesman added that while the police have decided to keep the names of those fined secret, a separate inquiry led by the senior civil servant Sue Gray meant that officials could still face disciplinary action.
Staff subject to security vetting may also be required to disclose the fact they have been fined.
“Obviously a number of officials, not just in Downing Street but beyond, took part in Sue Gray’s investigation where they provided information,” the spokesman said.
“Those people will have been asked to cooperate with the civil service led investigation. There are already existing HR disciplinary procedures in place.”
Despite the Met deciding that in at least 20 cases the law was broken, there was no fresh apology from Downing Street on Tuesday.
The PM’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has apologised to the House [of Commons]. He has said sorry for the things we did not get right and sorry for the way things were handled and all the mistakes that have been made.
“You can expect to hear more from the Prime Minster when the investigation has concluded.”
Asked if he misled the Commons when he told MPs he believed all the rules were followed, the spokesman added: “No. At all times he has set out his understanding of events.”
