British Labour party leader Keir Starmer is to be investigated by police amid allegations he broke lockdown rules last year following receipt of "significant new information".
Mr Starmer has come under pressure since footage emerged of him drinking a beer with colleagues in April 2021 in Durham during campaigning for the Hartlepool by-election.
He said this week he wanted to focus on the cost-of-living crisis and not Conservative "mudslinging". At the time of the alleged gathering, non-essential retail and outdoor venues including pub gardens were open but social distancing rules, which included a ban on indoor mixing between households, remained in place.
A Durham Constabulary statement this afternoon said: "Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary carried out an assessment as to whether Covid-19 regulations had been breached at a gathering in Durham City on April 30 2021. "At that time, it was concluded that no offence had been established and therefore no further action would be taken. "Following the receipt of significant new information over recent days, Durham Constabulary has reviewed that position and now, following the conclusion of the pre-election period, we can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations relating to this gathering is now being conducted." Police previously said they did do not believe "an offence has been established in relation to the legislation and guidance in place at that time and will therefore take no further action in relation to this matter".