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Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024392
I note you seek access to the following information:
It has been reported that the Metropolitan Police will not issue any further information on Partygate until after the May 2022 elections have been held.
Please provide information as follows:
1) Who took the decision to withhold information as above? Were they a member of Freemasonry?
2) Please provide communications relating to this matter which give details of the basis of this decision.
3) Did the Metropolitan Police obtain a legal opinion as to the political bias that results from this decision?
4) Did anyone express concern at the favouritism by the Metropolitan Police to the Conservative Party, or Boris Johnson?
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has provided updates at significant moments during the course of Operation Hillman, ahead of the pre-election period, including on the number of referrals for Fixed Penalty Notices.
For the pre-election period, many public sector bodies - including the Civil Service, councils, the Greater London Authority, the police and others - follow pre-election period guidance which places restrictions on communications in the weeks preceding an election.
The MPS follows the pre-election period guidance of both the Greater London Authority and central Government, as well as the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).
The MPS carefully considered the guidance provided and concluded that it would not be appropriate to issue any further updates during the pre-election period.