Durham’s Labour crime chief insists she did not attend Keir Starmer’s Beergate event, as she backs the force to carry out its probe into the boozy curry evening
- Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen insists she wasn’t at Beergate
- She responded to letter from local Tory MP Richard Holden demanding answer
- Durham Constabulary are probing claims Sir Keir and staff were socialising
- Ms Allen: ‘[Durham cops] will resolve this issue appropriately and with integrity’
A Labour crime chief yesterday said she did not attend Sir Keir Starmer’s Beergate event and backed her force to carry out a proper investigation.
Joy Allen, the County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner, was responding to a letter from local Tory MP Richard Holden demanding to know if she or her deputy was present and calling for an independent force to take over the sensitive inquiry if that was the case.
Durham Constabulary are investigating claims that the Labour leader and party colleagues were socialising rather than working when he enjoyed a beer and takeaway curry at a time when indoor socialising was banned under Covid rules.
Sir Keir Starmer (left) pictured on the campaign trail alongside crime chief Joy Allen (right)
Sir Keir (pictured May 9) has promised to quit as party leader if he is found to have broken rules
Mrs Allen said: ‘Neither myself, my deputy or any member of my office attended Durham Miners Hall on April 30, 2021.
‘As an operational policing matter, I continue to have no involvement in the inquiry.
‘I am confident Durham Constabulary will resolve this issue appropriately and with integrity.’
Sir Keir insists no laws were broken during the event but has pledged to resign if he is fined for breaking the rules.
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