Stanley Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn won't be fined for coronavirus rule breaches
Neither Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson’s father will be fined over breaches of coronavirus rules.
Former Labour leader Corbyn was pictured at a dinner party with eight other people including wife Laura Alvarez, sparking criticism that he had breached the Rule of Six.
On the same day, the Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson was pictured shopping without a face mask.
Under current coronavirus lockdown measures, both would technically face fines for breaching regulations.
However, the Met Police have confirmed that they are not generally investigating coronavirus-related issues retrospectively or pursuing enforcement.
A Met Police spokesman said: “As a matter of course the MPS is not investigating COVID related issues retrospectively.
“Where we become aware of a breach occurring, officers will seek to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules, only enforcing as a last resort.
“Where alleged breaches are brought to our attention after the event, officers will not have not had the opportunity to engage, explain or encourage, and those involved will not have not had the opportunity to respond positively to that process – as most people do.
“Therefore, it would not be appropriate or an effective use of resources in most circumstances to investigate or pursue enforcement. We encourage everyone to make themselves aware of, and to follow, the rules.”
Corbyn and Johnson have both apologised for breaching regulations.
Corbyn told The Sun: “I recently had dinner at a friend’s house where the number of guests eventually exceeded five.
“I understand that remaining at the dinner was a breach of the rule of six. I apologise for my mistake.”
Johnson told the Mirror that he was “extremely sorry for the slip up” and may not have been “100% up to speed” with current rules as he had just returned to England after three weeks abroad.
New laws prohibiting social gatherings of more than six people came into effect on September 14, with police now able to disperse any such gatherings and fine individuals £200 for a first offence.
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