Detectives investigating allegations of breaches of COVID rules in Downing Street and Whitehall have sent questionnaires to more than 100 people as they begin to interview key witnesses. It is to be noted that PM Johnson has not been interviewed by police, however he has already been sent a questionnaire.
The questionnaires provide recipients with the opportunity to give an account of their involvement and the responses form part of the investigative material for the operation.
Recipients are given seven days to respond. As a result of responses so far, further individuals have been identified and questionnaires sent to them.
The Met Police said it had not yet "made any referrals" for the issuing of fixed penalty notices but that "every questionnaire response is being assessed".
Initial findings from senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into lockdown socialising in government buildings were published in January.
They pointed to "failures of leadership and judgement" and excessive drinking at work against the backdrop of the pandemic.
