Partygate: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak get fixed penalty notices for breaking law in lockdown

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Boris Johnson is tonight clinging onto power after police fined him for attending an illegal Partygate event –  because Tory MPs refuse to boot him out of No10 while there is a war in Ukraine. 

He today became the first serving Prime Minister in history to be penalised for law-breaking as No10 confirmed he will receive a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) for attending a Cabinet room birthday party arranged by his wife. 

Mr Johnson, Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak – who all attended the event – are among a tranche of 30 more fixed penalty notices dished out by Scotland Yard this afternoon to people who broke lockdown rules.

They have been sanctioned by Operation Hillman for breaking the law at illicit events that took place while millions of ordinary Britons were showing self-sacrifice and obeying restrictive Covid rules for the good of the country. 

Mr Johnson tonight faced demands from the opposition to resign after making political and criminal history. But Tory MPs who previously demanded he quit pulled their punches, citing his role in leading Western support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. 

However, some suggested the situation might only be a stay of execution. North Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen, who handed in a letter of no-confidence in the PM earlier this year, said:  ‘I am pleased that the police have investigated this matter thoroughly, but very disappointed that so many in number 10 including the PM were found to have breached the rules they set for the rest of us.

‘This is not the time to remove the PM given the international situation, but this is not the end of this matter.’

His comments were echoed by Johnson critic Sir Roger Gale, who said: ‘I am not prepared to give Vladimir Putin the comfort of thinking that we are about to unseat the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and destabilise the coalition against Putin.

‘So any reaction to this is going to have to wait until we have dealt with the main crisis which is Ukraine and the Donbas.’ 

A former minister told MailOnline that Mr Johnson’s position was ‘far better’ than six or eight weeks ago and he was showing his strengths by managing the threat of a ‘third world war’.   

The Metropolitan Police did not disclose if Boris Johnson was among those to be sanctioned with a £50 fine. Downing Street initially indicated that he was not. 

But this afternoon a No10 spokeswoman 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.’

The statement did not mention Carrie Johnson. But her spokeswoman later said: ‘In the interests of transparency, Mrs Johnson can confirm she has been notified that she will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice. She has not yet received any further details about the nature of the FPN.’

It is not known which event the trio were censured for, but they all attended a party organised by Carrie for Mr Johnson’s 56th birthday in June 2020.

Questions will also be raised over his honesty towards MPs. Last year he told the Commons that ‘all guidance was followed completely in No 10’. Mr Sunak, last December, also told MPs he did not attend any parties. 

The Prime Minister, who is at his Chequers country retreat, has yet to publicly acknowledge that the fines being issued by the police are evidence of law-breaking by senior figures in his Government and Whitehall. 

Bereaved families said there is ‘simply no way’ the Prime Minister and Chancellor can continue in post, after the pair were told they will be fined as part of a police probe into allegations of lockdown parties held at Downing Street 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer demanded both the PM and Chancellor quit, and the Lib Dems demanded Parliament be recalled from its Easter recess.   

Even Douglass Ross, the Scottish Tory leader who was among the first to call for Mr Johnson to resign earlier this year, stepped back from the edge. 

He said: ‘The public are rightly furious at what happened in Downing Street during the pandemic. I understand why they are angry and share their fury. The behaviour was unacceptable. The Prime Minister now needs to respond to these fines being issued.

‘However, as I’ve made very clear, in the middle of war in Europe, when Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes and the UK is Ukraine’s biggest ally, as President Zelensky said at the weekend, it wouldn’t be right to remove the Prime Minister at this time.

‘It would destabilise the UK Government when we need to be united in the face of Russian aggression and the murdering of innocent Ukrainians.’ 

One northern Tory MP who has been heavily critical of Mr Johnson suggested there will not be a move against him until next month. 

‘I predict nothing will happen until results of local elections are in and the verdict of the electorate is seen, one way or the other,’ they told MailOnline. 

The MP said even Mr Sunak resigning might not be enough to force the PM out. ‘I think that’s a bit priced in at the moment, so not as spectacular as it may have been.’ 

And the former minister alleged ‘damaged’ Mr Sunak would just end up ‘spending more time with his money’ if he decided to quit thinking the Tory Party would respect his ‘principle’. 

They added: ‘Rishi could just walk but if he does it is not because of the fine, it is because there is a lot more to come out on the tax front… He might think the Tory Party would hold him in high regard for his principles but it would backfire spectacularly. Nobody would forgive him.’ 

The MP added: ‘He’d better make really sure he’s got an alternative career plan, or he will be able to spend more time with his money.’  

Scotland Yard said it had referred a further 30 FPNs on top of the 20 it had already revealed to the ACRO Criminal Records Office ‘for breaches of Covid-19 regulations’ in 2020 and 2021. 

And outside the Conservative ranks the mood was apocalyptic. 

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Boris Johnson must resign. He broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it. The basic values of integrity and decency – essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy – demand that he go. And he should take his out of touch chancellor with him.’ 

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: ‘These fines expose the shocking scale of the criminality in Boris Johnson’s Number 10. 

‘The police have now completely shredded Johnson’s claims that no laws were broken. He cannot be trusted and cannot continue as Prime Minister.

‘No other leader in any other organisation would be allowed to continue after law-breaking on this scale. If Boris Johnson won’t resign, Conservative MPs must show him the door.’

Lobby Akinnola, spokesman for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak ‘broke the law’ and ‘took us all for mugs’.

He said: ‘There is simply no way either the Prime Minister or Chancellor can continue.

‘Their dishonesty has caused untold hurt to the bereaved.

‘Not only that, but they have lost all credibility with the wider public, which could cost lives if new variants mean restrictions are needed in the future.

‘If they had any decency they would be gone by tonight.’

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: ‘The investigation into allegations of breaches of Covid-19 regulations in Whitehall and Downing Street continues to progress.

‘As of Tuesday, 12 April 2022, we have made over 50 referrals for fixed penalty notices (FPN) to the ACRO Criminal Records Office for breaches of Covid-19 regulations who, following the referral, issue the FPNs to the individual.

‘We are making every effort to progress this investigation at speed, this includes continuing to assess significant amounts of investigative material from which further referrals may be made to ACRO.’

Mr Johnson has continually stonewalled over whether the issuing of the FPNs means the law was broken by people within his administration, saying he wants to wait until the Operation Hillman probe is completed before commenting. 

But his own ministers have been less circumspect in recent weeks, with Cabinet members among those who have publicly accepted there was illegality in No10. 

The penalty for politicians who break the law should be ‘perhaps even greater’, a Tory MP said just before a No 10 spokeswoman confirmed Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will be issued with fines as part of a police probe into allegations of lockdown parties held at Downing Street. 

When asked about the Met Police’s announcement of at least 30 more fines relating to the partygate saga on the BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme, Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle, said: ‘Well, as lawmakers, it’s essential that we pass laws that we expect people to abide by, because we will do so ourselves as MPs.

‘So if we break them, then that means that the penalty for us should be perhaps even greater than it would be for those who aren’t making the laws. So yes, there is a problem. There is a perception and it doesn’t help the entire last six months has been very difficult for Parliament’s reputation.’

From a ‘suitcase full of booze’, a BIRTHDAY CAKE for Boris, ‘BYOB parties and one-year-old Wilfred’s broken swing: The Downing Street parties that broke the law while the rest of the country was locked down

From a suitcase ‘full of booze’ to ‘BYOB’ bashes and a raucous garden gathering that ended in baby Wilf’s swing being broken – the details of the parties held at Downing Street while the rest of the nation was in lockdown caused widespread fury.

Boris Johnson is believed to have attended at least six illegal parties investigated by the Met, meaning his fine – announced today – could have been for any one or even all of them.

These include his 56th birthday party in the Cabinet Room in June 2020 where, in the words of one Tory MP, he was ‘ambushed by a cake’.

Embattled Chancellor Rishi attended the gathering as did the PM’s wife, Carrie, who were also both fined today. The Met has still not revealed which events their fixed penalty notices were for.

Downing Street are said to have held ‘wine-time Fridays’ every week throughout the pandemic which Mr Johnson attended, with staff even investing in a £142 drinks fridge to keep their beer, prosecco and wine cold.

Government aides were encouraged by the prime minister, who regularly oversaw the gatherings, to ‘let off steam’ at the regular drinks which would often continue until the early hours, sources told The Mirror.

Staff took turns to stock up on drinks at the local Tesco Metro with a wheely suitcase to fill up the 34-bottle fridge which was delivered through the back door of Downing Street on December 11, 2020, extraordinary pictures revealed.

At the time, households were not allowed to mix indoors or in most outdoor places with exemptions for people in support bubbles, and a maximum of six people were allowed to meet in some outdoor public spaces like parks and public gardens.

Today’s fines are particularly embarrassing given the Prime Minister, speaking in the Commons in December after allegations about parties in Downing Street first emerged, said ‘all guidance was followed completely in No 10’.

Below are details of all the gatherings that were investigated by police. 

BYOB garden party – May 20, 2020:

A leaked email from the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, showed No 10 staff were invited to ‘bring your own booze’ to an event in the Downing Street garden.

Mr Johnson admitted he was there for 25 minutes but said he thought it was a ‘work event’ to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic. 

Cabinet Office gathering – June 18, 2020

Senior civil servant Sue Gray’s interim report said a gathering in the 70 Whitehall building was held to mark the departure of a No 10 private secretary.

The event had not previously been disclosed but The Telegraph said the official in question is former home affairs policy adviser Hannah Young, who left Downing Street to take up the role of deputy consul general in New York.

The newspaper said it understood about 20 people attended, with alcohol consumed. 

56th birthday party for the PM – June 19, 2020

Downing Street has admitted staff ‘gathered briefly’ in the Cabinet Room in what was reportedly a surprise get-together for Mr Johnson organised by his now wife Carrie.

Lulu Lytle, the interior designer behind lavish renovations of the Downing Street flat, briefly attended while undertaking work there.

It was after this gathering that Tory MP Conor Burns claimed Mr Johnson had been ‘ambushed by a cake’.  

No 10 denied a report that, later the same evening, family and friends were hosted upstairs to celebrate the occasion.

‘Dom’s Gone’ bash: November 13, 2020

Mrs Johnson reportedly hosted parties in the official flat over No 11 where she and her husband live, including one event on November 13, the night of Dominic Cummings’ acrimonious departure.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s wife called the claim ‘total nonsense’.

But reports have since suggested that the Prime Minister was seen heading up to the flat on the night in question, with the Mail On Sunday stating that Abba songs, including The Winner Takes It All, were heard coming from the residence.

Mr Cummings, former de facto chief-of-staff at No 10, has alleged there are photographs of parties held at the flat during lockdown and said he has spoken to people who heard music coming from the Johnsons’ accommodation on the night he left Downing Street.

According to reports at the time, Mr Johnson gave a leaving speech for Lee Cain, his departing director of communications and a close ally of Mr Cummings.

Lee Cain leaving do: November 13, 2020

Mr Johnson gave a leaving speech for Lee Cain, his departing director of communications and a close ally of Mr Cummings. 

Cabinet Office ‘Christmas party’: December 17, 2020

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case removed himself from the inquiry into Whitehall parties – to be replaced by Ms Gray – after reports emerged of a gathering in the Cabinet Office.

It was reported that the do had been organised by a private secretary in Mr Case’s team, and that it was noted in digital calendars as ‘Christmas party!’ and included an online quiz.

The Cabinet Office said Mr Case played no part in the event ‘but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own’. 

Leaving drinks for former Covid Taskforce head: December 17, 2020

The former director-general of the Government’s Covid Taskforce said she was ‘truly sorry’ over an evening gathering in the Cabinet Office for her leaving drinks during coronavirus restrictions days before Christmas in 2020.

Kate Josephs, who is now chief executive of Sheffield City Council, said she gathered with colleagues who were in the office that day and added that she was cooperating with the Ms Gray’s probe.

Number 10 leaving do: December 17, 2020:

The Sue Gray update said the police are also probing a gathering in Downing Street held to mark the departure of a Number 10 official on December 17.

The Telegraph reported that the staff member in question was Captain Steve Higham, then one of Mr Johnson’s private secretaries, who advised on defence and national security issues.

The Mirror, which first reported the event before the police investigation began, said Mr Johnson was only there ‘for a few minutes’.

Capt Higham became Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in July 2021. 

‘Wine and cheese’ Christmas party at Downing Street:  December 18, 2020

The claim that kicked off the rule-breaking allegations is that a party was held for Downing Street staff on December 18.

Officials and advisers reportedly made speeches, enjoyed a cheese board, drank together and exchanged Secret Santa gifts, although the PM is not thought to have attended.

Mr Johnson’s spokeswoman, Allegra Stratton, quit after being filmed joking about it with fellow aides at a mock press conference – although it is not clear whether she attended. 

Number 10 leaving do for two staff members: January 14, 2021

A gathering was held in No 10 to mark the departure of two private secretaries.

Reports have suggested the Prime Minister attended the leaving event, which was for a senior civil servant in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, according to The Telegraph.

The other official’s identity is so far unknown. 

Drinks and dancing the night before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral: April 16, 2021

The Telegraph reported that advisers and civil servants gathered after work for two separate events on the Friday night.

They were to mark the departure of James Slack, Mr Johnson’s former director of communications, and one of the Prime Minister’s personal photographers.

Mr Slack, who left his Number 10 role to become deputy editor-in-chief of The Sun newspaper, said he was sorry for the ‘anger and hurt’ caused by his leaving do, while Downing Street apologised to the Queen.

The Telegraph quoted a Number 10 spokesman as saying Mr Johnson was not in Downing Street that day and is said to have been at Chequers.

The newspaper reported accounts from witnesses who said alcohol was drunk and guests danced to music, adding that it had been told that around 30 people attended both events combined.

Online Christmas quiz in No 10: December 15, 2020

Police initially said they did not intend to investigate the quiz, during which the Prime Minister appeared on contestants’ screens.

However they later said they would review the decision after a photograph emerged of Mr Johnson alongside an open bottle of sparkling wine. 

‘Liz Truss must be celebrating’: Boris is ridiculed for getting a fixed penalty notice over Partygate in an avalanche of mocking tweets

Boris Johnson was lampooned in an avalanche of sassy and mocking tweets this afternoon after No10 confirmed that the Prime Minister, his wife and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will all be fined for breaking Covid laws.

The under-fire Tory leader was compared to Beaker from The Muppets and TV scarecrow Worzel Gummidge today as social media users claimed Mr Johnson’s government is in complete meltdown.

Others suggested that the Prime Minister’s potential leadership rivals, such as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, will be hoping that the Partygate drama will unseat the so-called ‘greased piglet’.  

Mr Johnson is now facing calls from Opposition figures including Sir Keir Starmer and Nicola Sturgeon to resign for being fined as part of a Met Police probe into allegations of lockdown parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall during the coronavirus crisis.

It comes after Scotland Yard announced 30 additional fines on Tuesday in relation to Operation Hillman, which is looking into breaches of Covid-19 regulations at the top of Government.

A No 10spokeswoman 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.’ 

A spokesperson for Mr Johnson’s wife Carrie said: ‘In the interests of transparency, Mrs Johnson can confirm she has been notified that she will receive a fixed-penalty notice.

‘She has not yet received any further details about the nature of the FPN.’

The Labour leader thundered: ‘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.’

Scotland’s First Minister tweeted: ‘Boris Johnson must resign. He broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it.

‘The basic values of integrity and decency – essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy – demand that he go. And he should take his out of touch chancellor with him.’

Bereaved families have said there is ‘simply no way’ the Prime Minister and Chancellor can continue in post.

Lobby Akinnola, spokesman for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak ‘broke the law’ and ‘took us all for mugs’.

He said: ‘There is simply no way either the Prime Minister or Chancellor can continue. Their dishonesty has caused untold hurt to the bereaved. Not only that, but they have lost all credibility with the wider public, which could cost lives if new variants mean restrictions are needed in the future.

‘If they had any decency they would be gone by tonight.’

Police have opted not to name those facing fines, citing traditional practices when dealing with out-of-court matters such as speeding fines, but Downing Street said it would confirm if Mr Johnson was among those being penalised.

Scotland Yard said on Tuesday that it had made at least 50 referrals for fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) – up from 20 at the end of March – to ACRO Criminal Records Office, which is responsible for issuing the fines.

Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of the at least 12 events being investigated.