The Labour Party has admitted Angela Rayner was in fact present at an event where Keir Starmer was pictured drinking beer.
Durham Police was urged by Tory MP Richard Holden to reopen its inquiry into the Labour leader’s visit to Durham city in the run-up to the Hartlepool by-election in April 2021, when Sir Keir was videoed drinking a bottle of beer inside.
A Labour spokesman confirmed to the Mail Online Labour's deputy leader was in fact present at the event, after previously denying it.
A party source also described it as an "honest mistake" to the paper.
Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner
House of Commons
The force was urged by Tory MP Richard Holden to reopen its inquiry into the Labour leader’s visit to Durham city in the run-up to the Hartlepool by-election in April 2021, when Sir Keir was videoed drinking a bottle of beer inside.
Mr Holden, who represents North West Durham, urged the force to reconsider in light of the Metropolitan Police’s decision to fine the Prime Minister for attending his birthday bash in Downing Street.
Durham Police issued a statement on Thursday saying it had received “a number of further communications”, which it will respond to in due course, but that it was not currently investigating the matter.
In February, the force said no further action would be taken.
The statement said: “Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary undertook a review of video footage recorded in Durham on April 30, 2021.
Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks to the media outside the Ministry of Defence, London
James Manning
“We stated that we did not believe an offence has been established in relation to the legislation and guidance in place at the time the footage was taken and would therefore take no further action in relation to the matter.
“We have since received a number of further communications relating to this matter and will now consider the contents of those communications and respond in due course.
“For clarity, Durham Constabulary is not currently investigating this incident.”
Durham’s Labour Police and Crime Commissioner wanted to leave the matter to the force.
Joy Allen said: “This is an operational matter and as such I have left the force to deal with the investigation as it is their job and I do not, and will not, interfere.”
Mary Foy, the City of Durham MP whose office Sir Keir was visiting, was approached for comment but media requests were directed to the Labour Party press team, who did not respond to a request for a statement earlier.
Labour previously said the incident where the leader was filmed drinking a beer was a “work event”.
Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted he did nothing wrong.
