Durham Police has cleared Labour leader Sir Keir Sterner and Angela Rayner of violating lockdown rules.
This follows an inquiry into an incident at the Labour MP’s office, April 2021.
The police stated in a statement that there was no case to answer, citing an exemption from lockdown rules for “reasonably required work”.
Sir Keir Rayner and Ms Rayner both said that they would quit their jobs if they were found guilty of breaking the law.
Sir Keir stated: “For me this was always a matter principle.
Honesty and integrity are important. That is what you will always receive from me.
Ms Rayner stated that “Integrity is important in politics.” It’s impossible to see the contrast between this disgraced prime minster’s behavior and Ms Rayner’s.
The Durham gathering, held on the 30th April, was during the Hartlepool byelection. People drank beer, ate curry, and visited Mary Foy, City of Durham MP.
At the time, social distancing rules, including a ban against indoor mixing between households, were in effect.
Labour argued that the food was eaten between work events and the gathering was allowed.
This is important because it will tell you who will lead Labour Party to the next general elections.
That was not the case until today. A huge pause button was pressed on Sir Keir’s future; his political fate was in the hands County Durham detectives.
In May, he had decided that a fine would mean resignation. This was consistent with his demand that it have the same effect for Boris Johnson.
He can and will return to his argument about how not all politicians are equal; that integrity is important.
He will argue that the contrast with Johnson is more stark now than ever.
He is relieved, but this week, his greatest political challenge, becoming prime minster, is likely to be a little more difficult.
He is now facing a variety of potential opponents, having previously positioned himself against Boris Johnson.
They will have, at least for a time, the glow of novelty without having to fulfill their own mandate.
They may not be able to offer him the same level of criticism as he has in recent months with Prime Minister.
After receiving “significant new information”, Durham Police opened an investigation into the incident in May.
The police said that they will not issue any fines following the investigation and would not take further action.
They also stated that they wouldn’t name the people present at the gathering.
Ms. Foy stated that she was delighted with the results of the inquiry.
He said that it was unfortunate that Durham Police had been focusing so much time on a case that was already being investigated by Conservative politicians, especially since their resources are already under considerable pressure.
Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie, and Rishi Sunak, then-Chancellor of India were fined earlier in the year for attending a birthday celebration during lockdown in June 2020.
Richard Holden, North West Durham Conservative MP, wrote to Durham’s chief constable requesting her to review the claims against Sir Keir and take into consideration the Met Police’s decision.
