Strict police guidelines on lockdown offenses ‘increases risk of fines for Sir Keir Starmer’s birgett’
- Labor fears Sir Keir Starmer could be fined for alleged ‘Birjet’ violations
- An FOI clarified to Durham Police that they have changed their COVID fine guidance
- It was updated with tougher policy after Dominic Cummings visits Bernard Castle.
- Means Starrer may get the same FPN as Boris Johnson got
Labor is afraid that sir Keer Starrer Their alleged ‘beergate’ COVID violations could lead to fines in April 2021, with Durham Police confirmed last night following strict national guidelines. lockdown crimes
Some Starmer allies assumed that he would escape punishment because Durham Force chose not to impose a retrospective punishment. Dominic Cummings For your Barnard Castle visit in 2020.
But in a new Freedom of Information (FOI) release, the force made it clear they were following revised guidance at the time of the alleged incident involving Sir Keir, his deputy. Angela Rayner and other labor associates.
Beginning in 2021, the guidance of the National Council of Police Chiefs was tightened and this led to an increase in fixed covid-related fines. Last year, over 23,000 people were prosecuted compared to just 4,000 in 2020.
Last night, Labor lawmakers acknowledged the revelations would raise concerns that Sir Keir, who has vowed to step down if fined, could get the same FPN as Boris Johnson on his birthday in June 2020. Got to attend the party at number 10.
The Sir Keir starrer was filmed drinking beer at a boozy curry in Durham in April last year – an incident that is now being investigated by Durham Police for alleged Covid rule-breaking
A senior Labor MP even claimed privately that some allies would not be unhappy with Sir Keir’s fine as it would make way for a ‘more charismatic’ leader.
Sir Keir’s aides rejected this yesterday and insisted he had not broken any rules during his break from campaigning in local elections. He also claimed that it is no secret that Durham Police are following national guidance.
But last week it emerged that police had sent Sir Keir and Ms Rainer, who promised to resign if fined over an ‘incredibly comprehensive’ questionnaire over an alleged ‘beer and curry’ meeting in Durham MP Mary Foy’s office was.
Sir Keir pictured at the Platinum Jubilee Service for the Queen in London
Last night, Tory MP Richard Holden – who made the FOI request – said Durham Police’s response shows that whatever their final decision, it will not be based on some liberal local policy on retrospective fines. Instead, the only relevant guidance will be the updated national advice for 2021.
Mr Holden said: ‘This may frustrate Labor supporters but in this response, Durham Constabulary is telling me that the only relevant guidance is the updated National Police Advice for 2021.
‘This guidance leads to more stringent enforcement against COVID offences.’
Tory MP Richard Holden (pictured) said Durham Police’s response to an FOI request showed that whatever their final decision, it would not be based on some liberal local policy on retrospective fines.
However, police sources said that whatever the national guidance, each force will use its discretion.
Durham Police, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, said ‘no offense has been established’, originally looking at the Birgate incident. But in early May the force revealed that ‘after receiving important new information’, it was launching an investigation.
Last night, a spokesman for Sir Keir said the Durham incident did not break any COVID rules.
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