Met Police ‘partygate’ probe to continue as normal

The Metropolitan Police said its investigation into alleged parties held at Downing Street during lockdown will not be affected by Dame Cressida Dick’s resignation.

Dame Cressida announced on Thursday she would stand aside as Metropolitan Police Commissioner after losing the confidence of London Mayor Sadiq Khan following a series of scandals.

The force said the probe continues as normal under the leadership of Commander Catherine Roper.

It comes after the force has repeatedly come under fire for its handling of the investigation.

Scotland Yard was at first criticised for failing to investigate the events earlier.

The force did announce a criminal investigation had been launched in January amid intensifying pressure as more and more allegations emerged.

But widespread anger erupted again when the Met asked senior civil servant Sue Gray to only make “minimal reference” to No 10 events.

The Met argued the constraints on the Cabinet Office report into “partygate” are necessary to “avoid any prejudice to our investigation”.

But this prompted accusations that police were trying to delay the release of the full findings.

Dame Cressida was also forced to defend officers on duty in Westminster as questions were raised on how the gatherings were able to take place at a site with a heavy police presence.

She said the officers were there to provide “protective security” but refused to be drawn on “anything they may have seen or heard”.