[Abernathy]

@Abernathy Agree with all you say apart from the apparent fact that Durham police have delegated six officers to the investigation for at least six weeks. So this is going to drag on and on.

Which is what they want. Deflection from the shitshow the daily lives of people are turning into and hopefully mortally wounding someone who could ruin Johnson's ambitions.

Won't they just be asking Keir to complete a questionnaire?

[Crabcakes]

I still think this is a big gamble for Johnson’s team, but one that has the potential to pay off if it gives them a window to shoot for a GE when Labour are leaderless.

Though one thing that does give me some comfort is that apparently Johnson loathes Starmer. This makes me think a part of this is revenge/petty mindedness wanting to drag him down to his level and show he’s not actually a better man than Johnson. That means the decisions made may not be entirely cold and rational, and as such I’m not as sure as before that the Tories have information that makes them think they could really push for even some token punitive gesture for a minor transgression.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I have experience of the Durham Constabulary. I wouldn't trust them as fas as I can spit.

[Nigredo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61383091

Was nice knowing you Keir

[Crabcakes]

Well, bluff called. Let’s see what they’ve got then.

[RedSparrows]

Michelle Donelan: 'He's going to have to search his soul after making this a top priority over the last few months at the expense of key issues like the rising cost of living.'

Har har har har

[Oboogie]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61383091

Was nice knowing you Keir

To issue a fine Durham Constabulary are going to have to identify a law which has been broken. He knows they've got nothing on him. The Mail's 'gotcha' of the schedule including a meal break proves that it was a legal scheduled meal break "essential for the purposes of work", not an illegal party.
It's notable that Tory ministers are avoiding talking about it and certainly not demanding Starmer's resignation if he's fined.

[Andy McDandy]

They'll never let it go. If he's cleared, they'll make noises about a "cosy stitch-up" or somesuch.

Michelle Donelan there showing more brass neck than a steampunk giraffe.

[mattomac]

Doesn’t much matter I think he has done the right thing in this, I think Durham police will have to make sure because they might be taking on the former director of public prosecutions in a court room as if he stands down from leadership he will be free to go after them.

The fact he has said this suggests he won’t be fined and they know it and he knows it.

[Crabcakes]

Michelle Donelan: 'He's going to have to search his soul after making this a top priority over the last few months at the expense of key issues like the rising cost of living.'

Har har har har

Apparently she got a rocket for this. CCHQ is pushing for people to cite hypocrisy rather than demand resignation - i.e. it’s all an exercise in trying to make everyone look as bad as Johnson. Because god forbid we should expect better.

[mattomac]

Change in NEC rules probably paves the way for someone equally as moderate, if Starmer goes I will be open to any candidate who wants Corbyn to remain out his lot have helped stir this and so they should face consequences for their actions.

Nandy to me seems the appropriate choice, her or Cooper.

[RedSparrows]

I do wish some leading journo could point not just to Johnson's actions in this context, but the entire bonfire of virtue that props up the Tories as a whole.

[Andy McDandy]

Get paid handsomely for revelling in his own crapulence, after a career of taking the piss while banging fruity gels? Journos see him as basically the guy who won at their profession. They love him. Besides, he provides good copy, and the first rule of journalism is fill the fucking infinite space.

[Crabcakes]

I’d be happy with Rayner. She clearly gives Johnson the absolute terrors.

[Abernathy]

Listen,chaps. Keir Starmer won't be resigning.

You can be all but certain that Starmer is as sure as he can be that Durham constabulary will find no grounds whatsoever(which was of course the outcome of their first investigation into the same matter) to penalise him for breaking rules. Starmer was the DPP, remember, he knows all about the standards of evidence required for successful prosecution. So he won't be resigning. It'd be good if Durham police would get on with whatever it is (sending out questionnaires?) they are doing, but Starmer ain't stepping down.

[Crabcakes]

I hope so. I trust him - what/who I don’t trust is the Tories putting pressure on Durham plod, and/or a Tory-sympathising copper in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Doesn’t matter if on appeal it gets thrown out. It just needs one tiny transgression to be confirmed and that will be enough.

[Oboogie]

Listen,chaps. Keir Starmer won't be resigning.

You can be all but certain that Starmer is as sure as he can be that Durham constabulary will find no grounds whatsoever(which was of course the outcome of their first investigation into the same matter) to penalise him for breaking rules. Starmer was the DPP, remember, he knows all about the standards of evidence required for successful prosecution. ao he won't be resigning. It'd be good if Durham police would get on with whatever it is (sending out questionnaires?) they are doing, but Starmer ain't stepping down.

95% certain you're right, the only caveat is that some other evidence might still turn up but at the moment there is no evidence of law breaking*.

* not just my opinion, I've only studied and taught business law, but several better qualified lawyers have given their opinion on Twitter.

[Oboogie]

I hope so. I trust him - what/who I don’t trust is the Tories putting pressure on Durham plod, and/or a Tory-sympathising copper in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Doesn’t matter if on appeal it gets thrown out. It just needs one tiny transgression to be confirmed and that will be enough.

If anything Tories will be pressuring Durham police NOT to fine him as it will leave Johnson in an even worse place.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I hope so. I trust him - what/who I don’t trust is the Tories putting pressure on Durham plod, and/or a Tory-sympathising copper in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Doesn’t matter if on appeal it gets thrown out. It just needs one tiny transgression to be confirmed and that will be enough.

I wouldn't trust the Durham Constabulary an inch.

[Nigredo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61383091

Was nice knowing you Keir

To issue a fine Durham Constabulary are going to have to identify a law which has been broken. He knows they've got nothing on him. The Mail's 'gotcha' of the schedule including a meal break proves that it was a legal scheduled meal break "essential for the purposes of work", not an illegal party.
It's notable that Tory ministers are avoiding talking about it and certainly not demanding Starmer's resignation if he's fined.

Valid points but alas, my irrational cynicism can't help but feel the whole rotten system will do the pork haystack's bidding to contrive a fine from somewhere in exchange for future favours down the line. Because who's going to stop him from doing as he jolly well pleases eh?