The Metropolitan Police say they do not have records of visitors to 10 Downing Street on the nights that Covid rule breaking parties allegedly took place.

In response to a Freedom of Information request by me the Met said:

“To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted at the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

“The searches failed to locate any information relevant to your request, therefore, regrettably the information you have requested is not held by the MPS.

“I would like to take this opportunity to advise why the information you have requested is not held. The MPS’s primary responsibility is to provide security at this location. The Cabinet Office are responsible for access to Downing Street and the management of these records.

“Therefore, you may wish to consider redirecting your query to the [Cabinet Office].”

Yesterday the Cabinet Office rejected an FOI request for similar information claiming it was “vexatious” – a common stalling technique.

I have appealed that decision.

The Request:

Last month I asked the Metropolitan Police for the following information.

1) Please provide details of visitors given entrance to Downing Street from 1pm on November 27th 2020 through to 5am November 28th 2020.

2) Please provide details of visitors given entrance to Downing Street from 1pm on December 18th 2020 through to 5am on December 19th 2020

Ideally this should be a copy of the “police log” if such a document exists. If possible please show time details of arrival and departures.

NB: Clearly we would understand if some names (for example, security personnel etc) were redacted for security reasons but would we would expect names of most individuals (including but not limited to politicians, friends or members of the media) to be provided.

Photo: Stanislav Kozlovskiy

Follow