The Met Police is being sued for not investigating a Downing Street Christmas party

The Metropolitan Police is being sued over its refusal to investigate an alleged Christmas party at Downing Street during lockdown in December 2020. 

Despite widespread anger over the alleged party at Downing Street that took place while mixing between households was not allowed, the Met has said it will not investigate the gathering because it had a policy of not retrospectively investigating alleged breaches of coronavirus laws.

But the Good Law Project believes it has evidence to suggest the Met’s “refusal to investigate the alleged No 10 parties was unlawful,” and will be “issuing formal legal proceedings to force the Met to revisit their decision”.

In a statement released on the non-profit’s website, lawyers said: “They seem to be operating a two-tier system, with one rule for those in power and one rule for everyone else. And we think that sets a dangerous precedent with serious implications for public trust.

“We are suing the Met Police to force them to investigate the party that took place on December 18. If we win, it could have a knock-on effect for all the parties held at Downing Street. Those in power broke the rules – repeatedly. They should face the same consequences as everyone else.”

“Each new revelation makes the Met’s policy of not investigating these breaches more damaging,” the statement continues. 

A statement released by the Met in response to requests to investigate the party said: “Based on the absence of evidence and in line with our policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of such regulations, the Met will not commence an investigation at this time.”

At the alleged Christmas party officials are said to have “knocked back glasses of wine during a Christmas quiz and a Secret Santa while the rest of the country was forced to stay home”, reported The Mirror. 

A source said 40 or 50 people were packed “cheek by jowl” in a Downing Street room while London was in tier three restriction. Boris Johnson was not at the party.

Police watchdog ​​The Independent Office for Police Conduct has said that it will not investigate the Met Police over handling of Downing Street parties.

The Met has been approached for comment.