British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak are to be fined as part of the police investigation into parties held during the COVID-19 lockdowns, a Downing Street spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
“The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister have received notification today that the Metropolitan Police intend to fine them,” the spokeswoman said.
The leader of the opposition, Labor Keir Starmer, immediately called for the resignation of number one and number two of the Conservative executive.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak repeatedly broke the law and lied to British citizens. Both must resign. The Conservatives are totally incapable of governing,” tweeted Labor Keir Starmer, considering that “the UK deserves better.”
Scotland Yard has been investigating allegations for months that Johnson and members of his team organized and attended a dozen parties and other social events when they were banned during the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The investigation is continuing,” police said in a statement. “As of Tuesday, April 12, 2022, we have sent more than 50 notifications of fines (…) for violation of the regulations on COVID-19,” he added.
This announcement revived the so-called “partygate” scandal, which made Johnson fear for his political survival between calls for his resignation by the opposition and several deputies from his own Conservative Party willing to launch a motion of internal censure.
Boris Johnson apologized “full” after being fined for a birthday party held against the rules of confinement, but refused to resign as demanded by the Labor opposition, in a statement to several television channels.
“I want to go ahead and fulfill the mandate to deal with the problems facing the country,” he said.
