Durham Constabulary launched a criminal investigation to the Beergate event in May, amid claims that up to 30 people had enjoyed beer and curry in the office of Durham City MP Mary Foy by April 2021.
Sir Keir insisted it had simply been a meal break while he and his colleagues were campaigning in the Hartlepool by-election, pointing to legislation providing an exception to the ban on indoor gatherings where it was “reasonably necessary for work purposes”.
But critics accused him of breaking rules that millions of others should have followed.
On Friday, a Conservative Party source questioned the outcome of the investigation.
The source said: “People in Durham will be surprised to learn that they have been allowed to stand drinking indoors, after working with people from outside their household under Covid restrictions.
“Other forces have clearly taken a different stance. Of course, if Keir Starmer lived up to the standards he demands of others, he would have resigned two months ago.”
In a statement, Durham Constabulary said it had conducted a “detailed, thorough and proportionate” investigation, adding that a “substantial” amount of evidence had been collected but there was no reason to reply as there was a “labour exemption”.
A source says the investigation was completed and signed off yesterday morning and the statement was issued as soon as possible after that.