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Keir Starmer's Durham drink - what were the rules? Keir Starmer's Durham drink - what were the rules?
(25 days later)
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign if he is found by Durham Police to have breached Covid rules. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner have both been sent questionnaires as part of an investigation into a gathering in Durham.
The police force has announced that it is opening an investigation into a gathering in the city on 30 April 2021. Durham Constabulary is looking into whether Covid rules were broken at an event on 30 April 2021 that they both attended.
At the gathering, Sir Keir was pictured through a window holding a bottle. Sir Keir, who was pictured through a window holding a bottle, has said he will resign if he is fined.
"I am absolutely clear that no laws were broken - they were followed at all times," he said on 9 May 2022."I am absolutely clear that no laws were broken - they were followed at all times," he said on 9 May 2022.
"I simply had something to eat whilst working late in the evening, as any politician would do days before an election.""I simply had something to eat whilst working late in the evening, as any politician would do days before an election."
Labour's Starmer and Rayner sent police questionnaires over lockdown drinks
Sir Keir Starmer investigated over alleged lockdown breachSir Keir Starmer investigated over alleged lockdown breach
What happened?What happened?
The picture of the Labour leader was taken in the run-up to the 6 May Hartlepool by-election in the office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy - inside Durham Miners' Hall.The picture of the Labour leader was taken in the run-up to the 6 May Hartlepool by-election in the office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy - inside Durham Miners' Hall.
He can be seen with a bottle while colleagues can be seen in the background with plates.He can be seen with a bottle while colleagues can be seen in the background with plates.
Sir Keir has explained that a takeaway was ordered for the people working in the office.Sir Keir has explained that a takeaway was ordered for the people working in the office.
"All restaurants and pubs were closed so takeaways were really the only way you could eat," he told Good Morning Britain."All restaurants and pubs were closed so takeaways were really the only way you could eat," he told Good Morning Britain.
"So this was brought in and at various points people went through to the kitchen, got a plate and had something to eat.""So this was brought in and at various points people went through to the kitchen, got a plate and had something to eat."
What were the rules at the time?What were the rules at the time?
On 30 April, England was under "Step 2" rules, which had been introduced on 12 April.On 30 April, England was under "Step 2" rules, which had been introduced on 12 April.
Gathering indoors with people from outside your household or support bubble was against the law.Gathering indoors with people from outside your household or support bubble was against the law.
There was an exemption for "work purposes", although working from home was recommended in the guidance, but the rules did not mention socialising at work.There was an exemption for "work purposes", although working from home was recommended in the guidance, but the rules did not mention socialising at work.
And there was an exemption if "the gathering is reasonably necessary for the purposes of campaigning in an election".And there was an exemption if "the gathering is reasonably necessary for the purposes of campaigning in an election".
Bars, pubs and restaurants were allowed to open outdoors for groups of six people or two households, but indoor service was not allowed.Bars, pubs and restaurants were allowed to open outdoors for groups of six people or two households, but indoor service was not allowed.
Could the rules have been broken?Could the rules have been broken?
The question for police will be whether Labour officials eating and drinking together was "reasonably necessary for work" and whether drinking beer (assuming the bottle contained beer) makes a difference to that.The question for police will be whether Labour officials eating and drinking together was "reasonably necessary for work" and whether drinking beer (assuming the bottle contained beer) makes a difference to that.
It is worth noting that the Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate one event at Downing Street at which alcohol was drunk. It is worth noting that the Metropolitan Police decided not to fine the prime minister for attending Downing Street gatherings at which he was pictured with alcohol.
One of the events mentioned in senior civil servant Sue Gray's initial report into Downing Street gatherings was on 15 May 2020, when the prime minister and members of staff were pictured with bottles of wine in the Downing Street garden. At the time, Mr Johnson said: "Those were meetings of people at work, talking about work."
That was one of the gatherings that the Met decided they would not investigate.
Partygate: Which Downing Street parties have resulted in fines so far?
Downing Street parties: What Covid rules were broken?Downing Street parties: What Covid rules were broken?
Labour Party sources said they had "documentary evidence" that Keir Starmer's team had continued working until 01:00.
But that does not necessarily mean that rules were not broken. There is no question that Boris Johnson continued working after the gathering on his birthday, but he was still fined for it.
What have the police said?What have the police said?
Durham Police reviewed the footage of Keir Starmer in February this year and said it did not believe an offence had been committed.Durham Police reviewed the footage of Keir Starmer in February this year and said it did not believe an offence had been committed.
But on 6 May a spokesperson said: "Following the receipt of significant new information over recent days, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position.But on 6 May a spokesperson said: "Following the receipt of significant new information over recent days, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position.
"We can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted.""We can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted."
Was Angela Rayner there?Was Angela Rayner there?
Labour initially said that its deputy leader Angela Rayner had not been at the event, but now says that statement was a "mistake" made in "good faith".Labour initially said that its deputy leader Angela Rayner had not been at the event, but now says that statement was a "mistake" made in "good faith".
A spokesperson told the BBC there was no reason to conceal Ms Rayner's attendance, as no lockdown rules had been broken.A spokesperson told the BBC there was no reason to conceal Ms Rayner's attendance, as no lockdown rules had been broken.
What was the guidance?What was the guidance?
In addition to the legal restrictions, the government issued guidance for workplaces.In addition to the legal restrictions, the government issued guidance for workplaces.
The guidance on gathering at work at the time was that people should only meet in person at work if it was reasonably necessary to do so, and that they should maintain social distancing.The guidance on gathering at work at the time was that people should only meet in person at work if it was reasonably necessary to do so, and that they should maintain social distancing.
That meant staying two metres apart if possible, or one metre apart with other measures being taken to reduce risk.That meant staying two metres apart if possible, or one metre apart with other measures being taken to reduce risk.
It also recommended holding meetings outdoors when possible, and using ventilation such as air conditioning and open doors and windows, if meetings had to be indoors. The guidance did not mention alcohol.It also recommended holding meetings outdoors when possible, and using ventilation such as air conditioning and open doors and windows, if meetings had to be indoors. The guidance did not mention alcohol.
Was there guidance for campaigning?Was there guidance for campaigning?
The government issued extra guidance for campaigning ahead of the May 2021 elections.The government issued extra guidance for campaigning ahead of the May 2021 elections.
It said that while it was "essential that campaigning be allowed in the run-up to the polls" on 6 May, "all campaigning activity will need to follow the relevant rules on gatherings and social distancing".It said that while it was "essential that campaigning be allowed in the run-up to the polls" on 6 May, "all campaigning activity will need to follow the relevant rules on gatherings and social distancing".
It also recommended: "You should not meet with other campaigners indoors."It also recommended: "You should not meet with other campaigners indoors."
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