Scotland Yard is investigating “a number of” alleged Downing Street parties, Dame Cressida Dick has announced.
The Telegraph understands the probe will cover eight of 17 events at which Covid lockdown rules were allegedly broken, but the Metropolitan Police Commissioner refused to confirm the precise figure.
"I can confirm that the Met is now investigating a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations," Dame Cressida said.
It has been prompted "firstly because of the information provided by the Cabinet Office inquiry team and secondly my officers' own assessment".
Previously the Met had said its policy was not to investigate breaches of lockdown regulations retrospectively but said it would assess any evidence that emerged.
But the force has come under intense pressure to launch a criminal investigation following a wave of allegations of gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall during lockdown.
These include an event that took place in the garden of Downing Street on May 20 which Boris Johnson attended. He later told MPs that he had not realised it was a party but had believed it was a work event.
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