DURHAM Constabulary has confirmed it is NOT currently re-investigating allegations Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules, amid ongoing suggestions from a Tory MP that it was considering reopening the case.
The force has moved to clarify its position after issuing a statement on Wednesday in response to North West Durham MP Richard Holden’s claim on Twitter, which was widely reported in the national news.
But despite a statement from police that no new investigation is underway, Mr Holden maintains it may still be possible the Labour leader could face action.
On Wednesday, Mr Holden shared a reply he received from the force’s Deputy Chief Constable in response to his letter asking them to launch a fresh probe in the wake of the ‘partygate’ scandal that has engulfed Downing and led to a criminal fixed penalty notice for Boris Johnson.
It surrounds a video that emerged months ago showing the Labour leader drinking beer in Durham City constituency office with MP Mary Kelly Foy in the run up to the Hartlepool by-election last April.
Police have already investigated and determined in February they believed no rules were broken.
Mr Holden’s letter urging officers to reinvestigate, along with additional requests made under the Freedom of Information act, came after the Metropolitan Police issued more than 50 fines to senior figures in Westminster, including the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine wrote back and said ‘inquiries would be made with the investigation team’, promising a fuller response to the correspondence.
In a subsequent statement, the force said the letter was ‘a courtesy’.
Mr Holden claimed it meant the ‘door was open’ for the case to be re-examined but this was roundly dismissed as ‘misleading’ by a Labour spokesman and North Durham MP Kevan Jones.
The Daily Mail made the same suggestion, that Sir Keir could face further investigation, on its front page on Thursday with similar pieces running on GB News.
Late on Thursday, a spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary told The Northern Echo: “Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary undertook a review of video footage recorded in Durham on April 30, 2021.
“In February, we stated that we did not believe an offence has been established in relation to the legislation and guidance in place at the time the footage was taken and would therefore take no further action in relation to the matter.
“We have since received further communications on this subject and will now consider the content of those communications and respond in due course.
“For clarity, Durham Constabulary is not currently investigating this incident.”
Reacd more: Richard Holden claimed 'door open' on Starmer case
Richard Holden who was elected in 2019 and represents the North West Durham which borders the constituency held by Labour’s Mary Kelly Foy.
He said: “I am glad that Durham Constabulary are now considering the communications that they are receiving regarding the incident involving Sir Keir Starmer in Durham.
“I am glad that they appear fully aware of the seriousness of the situation and are taking it into consideration as they determine whether or not to re-open investigations into this incident.”
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