LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he is “confident no rules were broken” after Durham Police confirmed he will be investigated amid allegations that he broke lockdown rules last year.

Durham Constabulary announced on Friday it was investigating the claims following receipt of “significant new information”, having previously said they did not believe an offence had been established.

The police U-turn follows mounting pressure on the force to re-examine the allegations after footage emerged of the Labour leader drinking a beer with reportedly up to 30 colleagues at a constituency office in Durham in April 2021 during campaigning for the Hartlepool by-election.

Read more: Durham Police WILL investigate Starmer's lockdown 'breach'

The Labour leader – who repeatedly called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign over rule-breaking in Downing Street – told reporters on Friday evening: “Obviously I understand the police need to do their job, we need to let them get on with that but I’m confident there was no breach of the rules.”

A Labour Party spokesman added: “We’re obviously happy to answer any questions there are and we remain clear that no rules were broken.”

At the time of the alleged gathering, non-essential retail and outdoor venues including pub gardens were open but social distancing rules, which included a ban on indoor mixing between households, remained in place.

The Northern Echo: Sir Kier was pictured in Durham as part of an election campaign as part of the Hartlepool by-election. Picture: PA MEDIA. Sir Kier was pictured in Durham as part of an election campaign as part of the Hartlepool by-election. Picture: PA MEDIA.

Sir Keir has repeatedly denied breaching the rules.

In January, he said the Prime Minister “needs to do the decent thing and resign” after he became embroiled in lockdown breach allegations.

A Durham police statement on Friday afternoon said: “Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary carried out an assessment as to whether Covid-19 regulations had been breached at a gathering in Durham City on April 30, 2021.

“At that time, it was concluded that no offence had been established and therefore no further action would be taken.

The Northern Echo: The Labour leader addressed the media in London this evening (May 6). Picture: PA MEDIA.The Labour leader addressed the media in London this evening (May 6). Picture: PA MEDIA.

“Following the receipt of significant new information over recent days, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position and now, following the conclusion of the pre-election period, we can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted.”

The force did not elaborate on what the new information involved.

In the aftermath of the new investigation confirmation, Conservative MP for North West Durham Richard Holden said the police are doing “exactly the right thing” in investigating potential lockdown breaches involving Sir Keir.

The Northern Echo: The police have confirmed an investigation will take place after 'fresh evidence' appeared in the case. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.The police have confirmed an investigation will take place after 'fresh evidence' appeared in the case. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Mr Holden, who had been pressing police to investigate after presenting new evidence, said: “It’s vital that the man who wants to be prime minister is held to the same standard as the Prime Minister and everybody else.”

However, Sir Kier’s colleague, Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry has said Labour will cooperate with Durham Police.

She said: “We’ll answer whatever questions are put to us and we’ll do everything that we can to help.

“But we’re completely confident that no rules have been broken. It’s fine. I appreciate they’ve been put under a lot of pressure, there’s lots of people who’ve been campaigning for the police to open this investigation, lots of Conservative MPs have been asking about it, lots of the Conservative-supporting newspapers have been making a big fuss about it.

“If they’re opening it again, that’s fine, we will answer questions.”

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