Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner have been cleared by Durham police of breaking lockdown rules following an inquiry into an event at a Labour MP's office in April 2021. The police stated there was 'no case to answer', citing an exemption for 'reasonably necessary work'.
Sir Keir said he would have resigned if fined as a 'matter of principle', adding 'integrity matters'. He pledged to set out how a Labour government would 'reboot our economy, re-energise our communities, revitalise our public services, and give Britain the fresh start it needs'.
The gathering on 30 April 2021, which included beer and curry, took place in the constituency office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy during the Hartlepool by-election campaign. Social distancing rules banning indoor mixing between households were in place at the time, but Labour argued the food was consumed between work events.
Durham Constabulary launched an investigation in May after receiving 'significant new information'. The police confirmed no fines would be issued and no further action would be taken, noting the exception for 'reasonably necessary work'.
Ms Rayner said: 'The contrast with the behaviour of this disgraced prime minister couldn't be clearer.' Conservative MP Michael Fabricant criticised the decision, suggesting it would reinforce views of an 'establishment stitch-up'.
