Johnson police referral raises questions, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer said the public was ‘fed up’ with stories about Boris Johnson.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson’s referral to police over potential further lockdown breaches raises new questions, the Labour leader has said.
Sir Keir Starmer, who was visiting Scotland on Friday, said the public was “fed up to the back teeth” with stories about the former prime minister.
Mr Johnson, who believes he is the victim of a stitch-up, has ditched the Government-appointed lawyers representing him in the Covid-19 public inquiry after he was referred to police.
No 10 has said ministers were not involved in the decision to pass to the police concerns over events in Chequers and Downing Street following a review of the former prime minister’s official diary.
Sir Keir told broadcasters: “I think people are fed up to the back teeth with stories about Boris Johnson. The heart of this is a simple truth that, across the country, people made massive sacrifices during Covid.
“Some people not going to the birth of their baby, not going to the funeral of one of their close family members.
“These are deeply personal things and increasing revelations about Boris Johnson, I think, just add to that sense of hurt and people are fed up with it.
“I do think there are questions now about why have these allegations not come out before, all these allegations.
“Obviously, there will be investigations, I understand that.
“The core of this is a very human feeling of one rule for us, which we obey, another rule for Boris Johnson and those at the top of the Tory Party.”
The Cabinet Office has said ministers had “played no role” in the decision to hand information to the police, with the referral instead made by officials acting within the Civil Service Code.
Mr Johnson’s office has claimed the handling of the situation was “bizarre and unacceptable”, and the events in question were within the rules.
“It appears some within government have decided to make unfounded suggestions both to the police and to the Privileges Committee,” a statement said.
“Many will conclude that this has all the hallmarks of yet another politically-motivated stitch-up.”
Cabinet Office officials passed concerns to the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police after the new information came to light during a review by taxpayer-funded lawyers ahead of the Covid public inquiry.
The Privileges Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into whether Mr Johnson lied to Parliament about the partygate scandal, has also been informed.
The Times reported on Friday Mr Johnson had been preparing to release a photograph of one particular Downing Street garden visit in June 2020, which the paper said showed the then-prime minister meeting his mother and sister for lunch.
Mr Johnson believed that the image – which has now not been released – would have showed that all rules were followed, the paper said.
When I spoke to him at 4am yesterday morning US time, I got the strong impression that making a return is the last thing on his mind
The latest developments have turned attention back again to the partygate controversy, raising awkward questions once again for Rishi Sunak about his predecessor.
The former prime minister, according to loyal backer Nadine Dorries, is not contemplating a return to frontline politics at the moment as she compared him to English civil war leader Oliver Cromwell.
Speaking on her TalkTV show, she said: “Long after Oliver Cromwell had been dead and been buried, possessed, fearful and irrational men dug up his body and publicly executed him.
“Let’s face it – some in Westminster what they fear more than anything, is the return of Boris Johnson and they will go to any lengths to ensure that they prevent that from happening as they let their imaginations run riot and lead them down the paths of devious intent.
“Well I’ve got news for them, Boris Johnson has gone. When I spoke to him at 4am yesterday morning US time, I got the strong impression that making a return is the last thing on his mind.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.