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Boris Johnson at Downing Street: 'Not afraid to issue a criminal warrant'
Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
The interim chief of the London Metropolitan Police has defended his officers' investigations into lockdown violations in the British seat of government Downing Street against criticism.
'We are, I repeat, we have not shrunk from issuing penal warrants when we see fit,' said Stephen House of the London City Assembly's Judiciary Committee.
Earlier, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, among others, had asked the police to account for why Prime Minister Boris Johnson got away with just one penal order, despite evidence that he had attended several illegal meetings.
At a farewell party, Johnson was even photographed with a raised glass – but he was punished for another event.
House admitted on Thursday that some of the photos looked bad, but countered, "We care about the law, not what looks bad." Just because a photo has alcohol in it doesn't mean it's against coronavirus rules were broken.
Johnson was fined for attending a birthday party during a coronavirus lockdown.
A total of 126 penal orders were issued in the so-called Partygate affair because of various meetings.
In an investigation report published on Wednesday by top official Sue Gray, the government is therefore made serious allegations.
The meetings "should not have been allowed," it says there.
The prime minister apologized but ruled out resigning.
Though Conservative support is crumbling, the worst appears to be over.
However, he has yet to face a parliamentary inquiry into whether he lied to Parliament.
Johnson had long categorically denied that there had been any illegal celebrations at all.
If the committee decides he lied, things could get tough for Johnson.
pbe/dpa
