Fixed Penalty Notices for Partygate

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024403

I note you seek access to the following information:

My request relates to the Met's decision to not announce further Fixed Penalty Notices relating to what has come to be known as Partygate until after the May 2022 elections.

I would like to know the Met's rationale for this decision, and how it was arrived at.
Please include records of all related communications within the Met and between the Met and external people and organisations.

These records to include but not be limited to meeting records plans risk analysis and pros/cons analysis telephone call records emails memos and other written documents any other information which informed the decision.

Decision

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.