Downing Street staff and guests who took part in the lockdown parties could have their phones seized and “search warrants” could be issued at No.10.
Those people who attended that parties during lockdown in Downing Street have been warned that they could be in for a grilling by detectives.
A source told The Times that police officers will no hesitate to use such powers if there is evidence of any cover up in Downing Street.
An anonymous serving police inspector has been quoted as saying detectives will start with examining the evidence submitted in the Sue Gray report.
“The detectives will be looking to prove the people who were claimed to have been in the garden were actually there by using evidence from interviews and checking any entry and exit information,’ he told MailOnline.
“If the suspects admit to being there, the result will be a fixed penalty notice.
“But if they deny it then a police supervisor will have to review the evidence and decide whether the person should be charged to appear in court.”
The serving inspector warned that anyone who is caught providing false information to officers will be in far more trouble than if they had just admitted to the offence straight away to the detectives.
He warned, “If you say you didn’t do it and claim you were somewhere else and show evidence that turns out to be false then you could be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice.
“That would be far more serious than taking a fixed penalty notice.
“You could get a criminal record and go to prison.
“People need to be aware that their lies could be more costly than telling the truth,” he told MailOnline.
Today, former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal has suggested that Scotland Yard could also seek to charge senior figures with the similarly serious offence of “misconduct in public office,” adding, “I’d be very worried it I was the PM.”
Nazir Afzal, who served as chief prosecutor for North West England from 2011 to 2015, suggested the fact Dame Cressida Dick has started an investigation, this does suggest that serious charges could be levied.
“Police have policy that says they will not investigate retrospective Covid breaches…,” he tweeted.
“So they must be investigating misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice – very SERIOUS offences.
“I’d be worried if I was the PM.”
Sean Caulfield, a partner in the criminal team at Hodge Jones and Allen, told MailOnline, “If someone was to frustrate or obstruct the police or intentionally mislead them, then they could be guilty of a much more serious offence.
“Two possible charges could be perverting the course of justice or obstructing a police officer.
“The latter could include something like deleting messages from a mobile phone or hiding evidence.”
Leave a Comment