Partygate fixed penalty notices

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024420

I note you seek access to the following information:

The Met issued a statement today to say it would not communicate further about so-called Partygate fixed penalty notices until after the local elections.

Given that the Met itself is not subject to purdah, could you please provide the policy justification and the name of the authorising senior officer for this decision?

Ironically, given the supposed intention, the decision not to communicate appears to be politically motivated and can be construed as interference in politics and so a prompt, unambiguous and public explanation is required.

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.