Partygate Scandal - Fixed Penalty Notices

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024421

I note you seek access to the following information:

In April 2022, the Met Police decided to pause public updates about its inquiry into the "Partygate Scandal", until after the 5 May elections.

Specifically, the Met said it would not disclose whether new Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued until after the elections, due to "purdah" rules.

1) Please provide me with copies of all legal advice that the Met received/ produced in relation to this decision.

2) Please provide me with any other reviews, assessments or reports relating to this 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.