Is Teddington's top TV writer behind Downing Street police protest?

By Ellie Brown - Local Democracy Reporter

17th Dec 2021 | Local News

SPECULATION is mounting that Teddington TV writer Jed Mercurio may have played a key role in a Line-of-Duty themed demonstration in London yesterday.

The stunt by activist group Led By Donkeys criticised the Metropolitan Police over their decision not to investigate allegations of parties at Number 10 which may have breached COVID rules.

Mr Mercurio, creator of hit BBC series Line of Duty who lives in Teddington with his family is a fierce critic of the current government and the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

But on his involvement with the protest he would only say: "I can neither confirm nor deny."

The demonstration yesterday (15 December) was filmed and posted to social media and has been viewed almost 5 million times on Twitter alone.

In the five-minute clip, a van with a TV screen attached pulls up outside Scotland Yard and a video is played on the screen - seemingly narrated by actor Adrian Dunbar who plays Supt. Ted Hastings in Line of Duty.

Dunbar's distinctive Irish voice booms out from the speakers as 'Hastings' outlines the evidence that there was a party inside No. 10 last year.

Many of Ted's catchphrases such as "didn't float up the Lagan in a bubble" and "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, led by the wee donkey" are referenced in the video.

The film addresses Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Rose Dick with the narrator saying "ma'am, I must protest."

"Last week senior officers who work in this building issued a statement declaring they would not be investigating the unlawful Christmas party held in Downing Street last year," it continues.

"The statement claimed a criminal enquiry is not possible because there is, quote, 'an absence of evidence.'

"Correct me if I'm wrong here ma'am, but the whole purpose of a police enquiry is to gather evidence, but because your officers are unwilling to get off their backsides and find it, my team are bringing that evidence direct to Scotland Yard."

The voice concludes by saying: "Who exactly does the Metropolitan Police work for ma'am? Our citizens or Boris Johnson?"

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the force will not be commenting on the video, but provided a previous statement on the Downing Street party allegations.

It outlined that the police service had received a significant amount of correspondence relating to allegations that the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations were breached at gatherings at No 10 Downing Street in November and December 2020.

The spokesperson said: "Based on the absence of evidence and in line with our policy not to investigate retrospective breaches of such regulations, the Met will not commence an investigation at this time.

"The Met has had discussions with the Cabinet Office in relation to the investigation by the Cabinet Secretary.

"If any evidence is found as a result of that investigation, it will be passed to the Met for further consideration."

You can watch the video on YouTube HERE

     

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