By Partygate fines issued over event on the eve of Prince Phillip’s funeral
According to the BBC, police have issued fines to some of those who attended an event in Downing Street on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.
The gathering was a leaving party for the former No 10 director of communications James Slack.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not attend the event and has so far not been issued with a fine.
The Metropolitan Police’s investigation of 12 events held across government began in January after an internal inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray.
The identity of recipients will not be revealed by the police unless they challenge the fine in court.
Two parties were held by Downing Street staff the night before Prince Philip’s funeral, which created the memorable image of the Queen sitting alone at her husands funeral.
The Met Police investigation is examining 12 gatherings on eight dates to see if Covid regulations were broken.
The prime minister is known to have attended at least three of the gatherings:
- 20 May 2020 in the Downing Street garden
- 19 June 2020 in the Cabinet Room for his birthday
- 13 November 2020 on the departure of a special adviser
The police investigation was launched after a separate inquiry was undertaken by senior civil servant Sue Gray.
In her initial report, Ms Gray criticised “failures of leadership and judgement” over the gatherings, between May 2020 and April 2021.
An updated version of her report will be published in full, once the police have finished their investigation, the prime minister has said.
