Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak fined for attending lockdown-breaking parties – POLITICO

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be fined for attending parties held during tight coronavirus restrictions, Downing Street said on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer received notification today that the Metropolitan Police intend to issue them firm orders. We don’t have any further details, but we’ll update you again if we do,” a No. 10 spokesman said.

It comes after police said 50 fines have now been proposed as part of their probe into breaches of COVID-19 restrictions.

The inquiry was launched earlier this year after several reports of rule-breaking, including in Boris Johnson’s own offices and in Downing Street’s garden.

Police have not named the people they intend to fine, but Downing Street previously said they would disclose whether the Prime Minister would be fined.

Johnson has been accused of attending several Downing Street parties, including a birthday celebration on 19 June 2020 in the Downing Street Cabinet Room. He is also said to have attended the so-called “bring your own booze” garden drinks on May 20, 2020. Johnson repeatedly said no rules were broken.

Opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said both Johnson and Sunak should resign. “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak broke the law and repeatedly lied to the British public,” he said.