The Met Police react to the Downing St parties with claim they don’t retrospectively investigate Covid crime
The UK government has kindly taken time out of its busy schedule of denying it’s mired in sleaze and cronyism to deny that having a party during a ban on parties was against regulations.
Tory after Tory has been rolled out to the media to say that nothing happened, and even if it did happen, there wouldn’t have been rule-breaking at No. 10. Honest, guvnor.
Peter Stefanovic stitched a few together.
This shocking compilation of Government Ministers trotting out the party line on the No 10 Christmas party knowing it was not possible to have a party in December 2020 & comply with rules which stated you cannot have a party illustrates everything wrong with UK politics today! pic.twitter.com/SN5Dp9J1T6
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) December 5, 2021
Their stance is a little at odds with most other people’s.
It doesn't matter whether Johnson and No10 broke the law, and it certainly doesn't matter whether they wriggle out of an investigation (by a Met force mired in its own scandals).
What matters is – they broke their own rules without giving a fuck, and everyone knows it.— Mike Holden 💙 (@MikeHolden42) December 5, 2021
YOU HAD A FUCKING CHRISTMAS PARTY WHILE WE ALL SUFFERED. pic.twitter.com/uqYgJip9bZ
— Tokyo Sexwhale (@tokyosexwhale) December 5, 2021
Proving difficult for No 10, with even a thousand dead cats, to shift the stench of hypocrisy. pic.twitter.com/0aTCbyXYtm
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) December 5, 2021
i can assure you all it was not a christmas party, it was an important governmental meeting that naturally evolved into vodka jelly shots and naked twister… pic.twitter.com/BVwuYDD7C6
— forest fr1ends (@forest_fr1ends) December 4, 2021
the official guidance on Christmas drinks isn’t that confusing, you can go right ahead and party on just make sure you hold them within 10 Downing Street 👍
— dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻 (@davemacladd) December 2, 2021
Here’s a summary from Dr Rosena Allin-Khan – with added earworm.
Last Christmas,
we locked your house down,But the very next night,
No restrictions in sight,Last year, to stop Rishi’s tears,
Downing Street held a party. pic.twitter.com/ySmHhc1CGw— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙 (@DrRosena) December 2, 2021
After numerous complaints to the Met Police, including many from Labour MPs and NHS professionals, it reviewed the matter and said that it ‘does not routinely probe retrospective breaches’ of Covid regulations.
By an astonishing coincidence, the Secretary of State for Justice made almost exactly the same statement on the Marr Show.
Raab, "The police don't normally look back and investigate things that have taken place a year ago" pic.twitter.com/hIjeUIzCov
— get your booster (@RobDunsmore) December 5, 2021
The concept wasn’t well received.
1.
Sorrywhatpardon? https://t.co/uOjC6lMzRC
— James Oh Brien (@mrjamesob) December 5, 2021
2.
The Met say in relation to the Downing St Christmas party that they don’t investigate crimes retrospectively.
That is literally the only way you can investigate crimes.— Nick Pettigrew (@Nick_Pettigrew) December 4, 2021
3.
The Met Police say they don’t investigate crimes retrospectively re Downing St Xmas Party. They need to know in advance if a crime is likely? Luckily they monitor who goes in and out of the building 365 days a year. Like the 50 sober people leaving drunk on the 18th of December.
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) December 5, 2021
4.
We are now in full on mickey taking territory… https://t.co/6rAF1IYeNU
— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@DeborahMeaden) December 5, 2021
5.
"Hello police, Ive just been mugged"
"Did this happen in the past?"
"…. yes"
"We don't deal with crimes in the past"
"But"
"Please call us again when a crime is happening to you"
"But"
"Goodbye" https://t.co/A0b6kZXx2x— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) December 5, 2021
6.
It’s pretty clear the defendant stabbed the guy, but we find him not guilty on the grounds that the crime isn’t being committed presently
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 5, 2021
7.
Tbf on Dominic Raab he does look like someone who has bodies buried in his patio but thinks that’s fine now. https://t.co/wEWrHC2523
— Rosie Holt (@RosieisaHolt) December 5, 2021
8.
Pretty lucky for me that the Met Police can't investigate crimes that have already happened. I wonder if that's why they keep stopping black people for crimes they think they're about to commit… https://t.co/TOJMuhoAgB
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) December 5, 2021
9.
Murders, rapists, burglars & all other law breakers. Have no fear. The Met police don’t investigate crimes retrospectively. Happy days. Right which bank would be easiest to rob…? 🤷♀️ 😱🤯
— Jo Whitehead 💙 (@Jo_WhiteheadUK) December 4, 2021
10.
Would be a pretty open and shut case, considering there was a police officer opening and shutting the door for the guests.
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) December 4, 2021
11.
"Police, what's your emergency?"
"I'd like to report a burglary"
"When did it happen?"
"Next Thursday" pic.twitter.com/ufwdkydPah— Otto Von Jizzmark (@Ottojizzmark) December 5, 2021
12.
Dominic Raab seemingly thinks he's the Justice Secretary in Minority Report where only future crimes are of interest
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) December 5, 2021
We now cross live to the Met Police.
Met Police on their way to arrest them scary Future Criminals https://t.co/5rdZ7PgxqA pic.twitter.com/c8mX8lQreL
— Marie Balon (@balon_marie) December 5, 2021
READ MORE
BBC’s Ros Atkins sums up the No 10 party furore in 4 and a half minutes
Source BBC Image Screengrab, Public Domain Pictures on Pixabay