Downing Street asks police not to publish ‘Partygate’ photos

Downing Street asks police not to publish ‘Partygate’ photos

Downing Street has asked the Metropolitan Police not to publish over 300 photographs amid an ongoing investigation into lockdown-breaking parties which are alleged to have taken place at Downing Street.

According to ITV News, a leaked document has revealed a request by the Cabinet office in which the police were asked to refrain from publishing photographs they had been submitted.

According to reports, one of the photographs features a photograph of Prime Minister Boris Johnson holding a can of beer at his birthday party in June 2020.

ITV cited the document as saying: ‘The Met has said it has been handed more than 300 photographs as part of its investigation.

“Consistent with its indication that it will not publish the identities of anyone issued an FPN, we would not expect the Met to publish photographs.

“The Liaison Unit has asked the Met to confirm this.”

The Met Police have confirmed that more than 50 people were issued with ‘formal questionnaires’ as part of the investigation, named Operation Hillman.

But on Monday, Downing Street said that the PM’s response to police questions will not be made public despite the Sue Gray report already having branded some behaviour as “hard to justify”.

The Met has confirmed that it would not reveal the people who are issued with FPNs.

However Number 10 has said it would be made public if the prime minister is fined.

Updates to follow.