BORIS Johnson’s ‘partygate’ police questionnaire was carried out “under caution”, it was revealed last night.
The PM and up to 50 others who were alleged to have taken part in lockdown-busting gatherings in No10 have been dished out forms to fill in by cops who are investigating.
Individuals are asked around a dozen questions about whether they took part in a specific gathering, why they were there, and if they interacted with anyone else, ITV News reported.
The form states that those filling out the forms are providing “a written statement under caution” – believed to be the first time a prime minister has been subject to such a level of quizzing.
It also asks for the exact times the person was at the event, and whether they think they had a “lawful exemption” for taking part.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “We have confirmed the prime minister has been contacted by the Metropolitan Police.
“We will not be commenting further while the investigation is ongoing.”
The Metropolitan Police is investigating 12 events, including as many as six which the Prime Minister is reported to have attended.
The investigations follow allegations of frequent and excessive drinking by Downing Street staff, to the extent where a wine fridge was purchased and staff were sent to local supermarkets to fill a suitcase with booze.
The PM has completed the questionnaire in relation to alleged parties, and in a major television interview on Sunday he repeatedly refused to say whether he would quit if he broke the law.
According to ITV News, the questionnaire asks Downing Street staff to provide a “lawful exception” or “reasonable excuse” for parties which took place during lockdown.
The document states that those sent the questionnaire are being provided with the “opportunity to cooperate with police in the form of a written statement under caution”.
And it says there are three ways to respond to the questionnaire: Remain silent and answer no questions, provide an answer to the written questions in the attached document or provide a prepared statement in your own words.
ITV News said it asks around a dozen questions, including whether the person participated in a gathering on a specific date, what was the purpose of that participation, and whether or not the person interacted with anyone else at the gathering.
The questionnaire asks for timings of the person’s attendance and how many others were present.
ITV said it also provides people with a chance to justify their actions, asking: “What, if any, lawful exception applied to the gathering and/or what reasonable excuse did you have for participating in the gathering?”
