Boris Johnson reported to Metropolitan Police over new potential lockdown breaches in Downing Street

Boris Johnson has been reported to the police over more potential breaches of lockdown rules.

The Cabinet Office said it made the referral following a review of documents ahead of the public inquiry into the pandemic.

The Metropolitan Police said it is “currently assessing” the details relating to incidents between June 2020 and May 2021.

The force said: “It relates to potential breaches of the Health Protection Regulations between June 2020 and May 2021 at Downing Street.”

The Cabinet Office is reported to have passed information on alleged visits from the former prime minister’s friends to Chequers as well as potential breaches within Downing Street.

Johnson was previously fined last year after being found to have broken his own lockdown rules.

A spokesman for Johnson said: “Some abbreviated entries in Mr Johnson’s official diary were queried by 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.”

It was also suggested the move was “politically motivated” and the former prime minister had been given no notice of the report.

The Cabinet Office said: “Information came to light during the process of preparing evidence for submission to the Covid inquiry.

“It was identified as part of the normal disclosure review of potentially relevant documents being undertaken by the legal team for inquiry witnesses.

“In line with obligations in the Civil Service Code, this material has been passed to the relevant authorities and it is now a matter for them.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “We are in receipt of information from the Cabinet Office passed to us on May 19 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.”

Thames Valley Police also confirmed they were looking into a report of potential breaches of the rules at Chequers.

They said: “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 Liberal Democrats called on Johnson to “consider his position as an MP” following the report.

“It’s outrageous that rumours of alleged rule-breaking by Boris Johnson are still being drip-fed to the public,” deputy leader Daisy Cooper said.

“The fact that it’s one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us still triggers a raw sense of injustice in millions of people.

“Sunak must make sure that not a single penny more of taxpayer money is spent on Johnson’s legal fund; and Johnson should finally do one decent thing and consider his position as an MP.”