Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be fined over Downing Street lockdown parties
Earlier it was announced by Scotland Yard that another 30 party-gate fixed penalty notices had been recommended by the Metropolitan police with the impression that there were still more to come.
A spokesman for No 10 said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices. We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do.”
In a statement this evening, the Prime Minister said he hadn’t realised at the time of the event that it was against the rules, but that ‘of course the police have found otherwise and I fully accept the outcome of their investigation’.
The fines relate to an hour-long gathering with cake in the Downing Street’s Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020. Johnson’s wife Carrie was also fined.
Labour leader Kier Starmer has called for their resignation
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public.They must both resign.The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davy said
“This is a government in crisis neglecting a country in crisis. Parliament must be recalled for a vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister.”
SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford has also called for Parliament to be recalled
“Parliament must now be recalled so Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak can give their resignation statements, and MPs can hold this Tory government to account.”
Meanwhile a spokesperson for the COVID Justice group said:
“There is simply no way either the Prime Minister or Chancellor can continue.Their dishonesty has caused untold hurt to the bereaved.”
Johnson is the first sitting Prime Minister in history known to have broken the law
Former Tory MP for Bury South Christian Wakeford, who crossed the floor to Labour over the party gate revelations has tweeted in the past few minutes
Law makers cannot also be law breakers.Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor must resign now.
Labour MP for Worsley Barbara Keeley has tweeted
“So Boris Johnson lied to Parliament and he and Rishi Sunak broke the law their Government created.While so many others coped with illness, bereavement and isolation they chose to party in Downing Street with staff.They must both now resign.”
