Detectives spent more than 3,200 hours and £100,000 investigating whether Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules on a trip to Durham, it has been revealed.

Earlier this year Durham police reopened an investigation into the so-called ‘beergate’ claims that the Labour leader broke Covid lockdown rules during a visit to the city in April 2021.

Footage had emerged of Starmer drinking a beer at the constituency office of Durham MP Mary Foy while enjoying a curry on a visit to the region ahead of the May local elections.

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The Labour leader argued the event didn’t breach covid rules at the time, which placed a ban on indoor mixing between households, because food was consumed between meetings.

In July Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner were cleared of breaking any restrictions.

A statement released at the time by Durham Constabulary said: “Durham Constabulary will not be issuing any fixed-penalty notices in respect of the gathering and no further action will be taken.”

Now it has been revealed that officers spent 3,203 hours working the investigation at a cost of approximately £101,000 to taxpayers.

Nine officers from the Major Crime Team, which would usually solve murders, were also brought in to investigate the claims.

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Durham Police's website says the Major Crime Team ususally provides "highly professional and specialised response to major crime investigations" and "deals with homicide investigations, suspicious deaths, and kidnappings".

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request by National World.

Durham Police said the investigation was funded from the general policing budget, and that one Detective Superintendent, one Detective Inspector, one Detective Sergeant, six Detective Constables worked the case.

City of Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy previously said she was ‘unfortunate’ Durham Police spent so much time investigating the case following pressure from Conservative politicians.

Speaking in July Ms Foy said: “It is unfortunate that the desire of some Conservative politicians to score political points has led to so much of Durham Police's time being focused on a matter that was already investigated, especially when their resources are already under significant pressure.”

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