Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner cleared of breaking lockdown rules over ‘Beergate’

Officers confirmed today the investigation has concluded and that ‘no further action’ would be taken against the pair.

In a statement, the force said: ‘Following the emergence of significant new information, an investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary into a gathering at the Miners’ Hall, in Redhills, Durham on April 30 2021. That investigation has now concluded.

‘A substantial amount of documentary and witness evidence was obtained which identified the 17 participants and their activities during that gathering.

‘Following the application of the evidential Full Code Test, it has been concluded that there is no case to answer for a contravention of the regulations, due to the application of an exception, namely reasonably necessary work.’

Durham Police added they cannot identify others present at the ‘beergate’ gathering due to policing guidelines.

It came at a time when indoor mixing with anyone outside your household was banned, although there was an exemption for ‘work purposes’.

Deputy leader Angela Rayner was also present at the gathering in the office of City of Durham MP, Mary Foy, on April 30, 2021, although officials initially ‘mistakenly’ denied this.

For months, Sir Keir insisted no rules were broken – but promised to resign if he was fined to show the public ‘not all politicians are the same’.

Ms Rayner followed his lead and said she would step down too if officers found wrongdoing.

The ‘beergate’ scandal came after Boris Johnson was fined for attending his own birthday party.

The Metropolitan Police were urged to explain why the prime minister wasn’t fined more than once after pictures emerged appearing to show him drinking at a lockdown-busting party.

Mr Johnson’s premiership was dealt another blow when it emerged one staff was so drunk they vomited at a party, while officials were exposed boasting about ‘getting away with drinks’.

Multiple examples of ‘unacceptable’ treatment of security and cleaning staff were also discovered.

But the British leader, at that point, refused to step down, claiming it was his ‘job to get on and deliver for the people this country’.

He survived a no conference vote in June but resigned yesterday.