Ashton-under-Lyne and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has been cleared of breaking lockdown rules over a gathering in Durham which had been dubbed 'beergate'.

The deputy leader of the Labour Party has been cleared along with leader Sir Keir Starmer, after both had vowed to resign if they received fines. 

It follows an enquiry by Durham Constabulary into the event on 30 April last year. 

At the gathering, in the run-up to the Hartlepool by-election, people drank beer and ate curry in the constituency office of City of Durham MP Mary Foy.

At the time, 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.

However, Labour had argued the food was consumed between work events, meaning the gathering was within the rules.

Durham Police said in a statement: "Following the emergence of significant new information, an investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary into a gathering at the Miners' Hall, in Redhills, Durham on 30 April 2021. That investigation has now concluded.

"A substantial amount of documentary and witness evidence was obtained which identified the 17 participants and their activities during that gathering.

"Following the application of the evidential Full Code Test, it has been concluded that there is no case to answer for a contravention of the regulations, due to the application of an exception, namely reasonably necessary work.

"Accordingly, Durham Constabulary will not be issuing any fixed penalty notices in respect of the gathering and no further action will be taken."

MP Rayner tweeted:

We’ve always been clear that no rules were broken in Durham. The police have completed their investigation and agreed, saying that there is no case to answer.

Integrity matters in politics. The contrast with the behaviour of this disgraced Prime Minister couldn’t be clearer.

— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) July 8, 2022