A lawyer specializing in blocking rules said a leaked document showing Keira Starmer attended a pre-arranged meal in Durham during the election could be used to clear the Labor leader of allegations he had broken the law.
A document released by the Mail on Sunday shows that an 80-minute dinner with Labor MP Mary Foy, which included curries for the home, was planned as part of his schedule.
The newspaper claims that the document shows that the event was pre-arranged, “so it is no different from the events under number 10.”
Conservatives say the note is evidence that the meal violated blocking rules, as it shows that it was pre-arranged to take place between 20:40 and 22:00, and not just a spontaneous decision to order food.
But Adam Wagner, a human rights lawyer at Doughty Street Chambers, said he did not think the leaked note indicated that Starmer had broken any rules.
“Seeing that this is a planned event as part of the opposition leader’s visit to Durham – during the local election campaign, the event focused on being with a local MP and their staff, and it was in the evening and food was ordered. because it was evening – I really don’t see how it can be a violation of the rules.
“The regulations allow for any collection that is reasonably necessary for work or volunteering. And apparently the purpose of this visit as a whole was for the opposition leader to visit the local agitators and the local MP, and all this is on schedule.
“So the police will have to say, ‘Well, we don’t really agree with the Labor Party’s analysis of what was reasonably necessary for the leader’s trip to Durham,’ and I doubt they could really stand behind that.” , he said.
“The problem with the Downing Street events was that they were pre-arranged social events.
“Those who are being investigated are those for whom it is quite obvious that the purpose of the event was social – a Christmas party, a departure party, a birthday party.
“Given the fact that this [Starmer event] is pre-planned, I think it shows the opposite. This shows that the goal was political. “
He also claims that the event is similar to the gathering on Downing Street, where Johnson and his staff were photographed drinking wine and eating cheese in Garden 10, where they are said to be discussing work issues.
The incident was not investigated by the Met, Wagner said.
Wagner said Durham police ‘decision to launch an investigation could lead to demands that Boris Johnson disclose his schedule.
“Will they look at the prime minister’s schedule and every time he eats, during trips to different constituencies during last year’s local elections, and ask if this event was reasonably necessary?” He said.
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Durham police must also explain why the forces are investigating Starmer two years after the incident, when they refused to investigate Dominic Cummings due to a policy of not taking “retrospective action”, Wagner said.
He added: “The first question for the Durham police is: what is their policy and are they implementing it consistently?
“I think it would be illegal if the reason they are investigating is that they are under a lot of pressure from the newspapers and politically.”
Another prominent lawyer said he believed the leaked note put Starmer in a difficult position.
Matthew Scott, who publishes articles under the name BarristerBlogger, tweeted: “This is uncomfortable for Starmer. The curry was planned in advance, at the end of the working day.
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