Boris Johnson referred to police over new claims he broke lockdown rules

Boris Johnson has reportedly been referred to police by the Cabinet Office over new claims he broke lockdown rules.

It is understood that entries in the former Prime Minister's diary showed friends visited his grace-and-favour house Chequers on several occasions. Concerns from the Cabinet have been passed on to the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.

It is believed Mr Johnson has been advised by lawyers that all of these events were lawful and did not break any restrictions. His team has also stressed that he has had no contact from the police.

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A spokesman for the former prime minister said: “Some abbreviated entries in Mr Johnson’s official diary were queried by the Cabinet Office during preparation for the Covid Inquiry. Following an examination of the entries, Mr Johnson’s lawyers wrote to the Cabinet Office and privileges committee explaining that the events were lawful and were not breaches of any Covid regulations.”

Despite this, Thames Valley police confirmed an investigation to the Times. A spokesman told them: "On Thursday we received a report of potential breaches of the Health Protection Regulations between June 2020 and May 2021 at Chequers, Buckinghamshire. We are currently assessing this information.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “We are in receipt of information from the Cabinet Office passed to us on 19 May 2023, which we are currently assessing. It relates to potential breaches of the Health Protection Regulations between June 2020 and May 2021 at Downing Street.”

A Cabinet Office spokesman also told the Times that the information surfaced during the process of preparing evidence for submission to the Covid inquiry. It