The Met Police said they were aware of the footage and allegations in relation to alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions, but that they would not retrospectively investigate such events.

On December 6, Baroness Jones wrote to the IOPC to complain about “police involvement in the Christmas party held at Number 10”.

“Due to the extensive police presence at 10 Downing Street, including their role in controlling all access to and from Downing Street, I believe that there is a case to answer for the police aiding and abetting a criminal offence, or deliberately failing to enforce the law in favour of Government politicians and their staff,”  Baroness Jones wrote.

Her letter continued: “Put very simply, if there was an unlawful gathering taking place at Number 10 Downing Street, then the police must have known, and were highly likely to have played an active part in organising or facilitating the illegal gathering.

“Furthermore, now that this Christmas Party has been reported, the Met Police commissioner has refused to investigate. This refusal, in light of the likely role of police officers facilitating, aiding, and abetting the unlawful gathering, is a conflict of interest and potential cover up.”

‘Assessing whether further action is required’

When an individual lodges a complaint with the IOPC, it is also sent to the force in question, which is expected to make a decision on whether to voluntarily refer itself. 

On Tuesday, an IOPC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that, on Friday 17 December, we received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service of a complaint about an alleged party at Downing Street in December 2020.

“We are assessing it to determine what, if any, further action may be required from us.”