UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, looked to avoid an initial fallout from becoming the first ever leader of the nation to be hit with criminal sanctions while in office, due to a birthday bash held for him in Downing Street while the rest of the country was under lockdown rules.
However, the PM, his wife Carrie, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer all apologised yesterday (12 April) following confirmation that they had been hit with fines from the Metropolitan Police following Boris' 56th birthday on June 19, 2020.
The Prime Minister said that it 'did not occur' to him that the gathering might have breached stringent Covid-19 restrictions, while Rishi Sunak said he understood that 'for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence'. And although now both politicians accept that the rules had been broken, neither of them are reported to be considering their positions in office - Wales Online reports.
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Cabinet ministers tweeted in support of Mr Johnson, praising his leadership during Covid and Brexit and also pointing to the war in Ukraine. Even the Prime Minister’s critics appeared to accept that now was not the right time for a leadership contest.
However, Mr Johnson did not rule out the prospect he could be fined again for further events. He is reported to have attended six of the 12 under investigation.
Speaking to broadcasters at Chequers, Mr Johnson said: “There was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm lasting for less than 10 minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes. And I have to say in all frankness at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules.”
He added: “I now humbly accept that I was. But I think the best thing I can do now is, having settled the fine, is focus on the job in hand."
Mr Sunak said: “I offer an unreserved apology. I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence.
"I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine. I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting.
"I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry. Like the Prime Minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.”
A spokesperson for Carrie Johnson said: “Whilst she believed that she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Mrs Johnson accepts the Metropolitan Police’s findings and apologises unreservedly.”
The latest fines came in a further tranche of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) announced by Scotland Yard in relation to Operation Hillman, which is probing possible Covid breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall. More than 50 fines have been referred to the Acro Criminal Records Office since the inquiry started.
The FPNs received by Mr and Mrs Johnson and Mr Sunak were in relation to the June 2020 birthday gathering at which, according to Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns, Mr Johnson was “ambushed with a cake”.
Reports have suggested that up to 30 people attended the event and sang Happy Birthday in the Cabinet Room.
