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Boris Johnson has accused the government of a “politically motivated stitch-up” after he was referred to the police for allegedly breaking lockdown rules
Cabinet Office officials acted after “information came to light” as they made preparations for the public inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak.
It relates to entries in the former prime minister’s official diary between June 2020 and May 2021.
According to The Times, which first reported the story, the entries concern visits by Johnson’s friends to 10 Downing Street and Chequers.
A statement from Johnson insisted that no lockdown regulations were broken.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Information came to light during the process of preparing evidence for submission to the Covid Inquiry.
“It was identified as part of the normal disclosure review of potentially relevant documents being undertaken by the legal team for inquiry witnesses.
“In line with obligations in the Civil Service Code, this material has been passed to the relevant authorities and it is now a matter for them.”
It is understood that the information was passed on to both the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.
A spokesperson for the Met said: “We are in receipt of information from the Cabinet Office passed to us on 19 May 2023, which we are currently assessing.
“It relates to potential breaches of the Health Protection Regulations between June 2020 and May 2021 at Downing Street.”
A statement on behalf of the ex-PM read:
The assertion by the Cabinet Office that there have been further Covid rule breaches is totally untrue. The assertion by the Cabinet Office that there have been further Covid rule breaches is totally untrue.
Lawyers have examined the events in question and advised that they were lawful.
No contact was made with Mr Johnson before these incorrect allegations were made both to the police and to the Privileges Committee. This is both bizarre and unacceptable.
For whatever political purpose, it is plain that a last ditch attempt is being made to lengthen the Privileges Committee investigation as it was coming to a conclusion and to undermine Mr Johnson.
Mr Johnson’s lawyers have tonight written to the police forces involved to explain in detail why the Cabinet Office is entirely wrong in its assertions.
The events in question were all within the rules either because they were held outdoors or came within another lawful exception. They include regular meetings with civil servants and advisers.
It appears some within government have decided to make unfounded suggestions both to the police and to the Privileges Committee.
Many will conclude that this has all the hallmarks of yet another politically motivated stitch up.
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper called on Johnson to “consider his position as an MP”.
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