Sue Gray is investigating the Downing Street party allegations
(Picture: PA Archive)The Met Police has again been urged to investigate allegations of parties in Downing Street as it was revealed officers had fined more than 17,800 Londoners for lockdown rule breaches.
The figure includes 113 people who faced penalties of up to £10,000 for holding gatherings of 30 people or more.
In total, 124,271 fines were issued for breaking government imposed lockdown rules in England and Wales between March 27 2020 and December 19 2021, according to data from the National Police Chiefs Council.
Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey warned it would be “double standards of the worst kind” if police failed to investigate claims that more than 100 people were invited to a “bring your own booze” party in the garden of Number 10 on May 20 2020.
At the time rules stated people could meet one other person outside of their household in an outdoor, public place if they stayed two metres apart.
But an email from the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, seen by ITV News, is alleged to have invited more than 100 staff to a drinks party in the garden.
About 40 people are said to have attended.
Kingston and Surbiton MP Mr Davey said: “Boris Johnson is taking the public, parliament and police for fools. We must not let him get away with it. The police must investigate this case in full and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
It is one of several alleged rule-breaking bashes in Whitehall now being investigated by civil servant Sue Gray.
A police spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches of the Health Protection Regulations at Downing Street on May 20 2020 and is in contact with the Cabinet Office.”
