Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have indicated they will not resign, despite having both been issued a fine by police for breaking his own Covid lockdown laws.
Johnson was handed a fixed penalty notice on Tuesday afternoon for attending his birthday party in the Cabinet Room of No.10 on June 2020.
At the time, the law forbid more than two people from gathering inside and there had already been 42,461 deaths from the virus in the UK.
“I once again offer a full apology,” Johnson said in a televised statement. “I accept in all sincerity that people have the right to expect better.”
Asked if he would resign, he added: “I want to be able to get on and deliver the mandate I have.”
Johnson said it “didn’t occur to me” that he was breaking the rules.
“I think the best thing I can do now is, having settled the fine, is focus on the job in hand. That’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
The prime minister had repeatedly said he did not break the restrictions. But the police told him today that he had.
The chancellor, meanwhile, said: “I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.”
Sunak, whose fine relates to the same event, said: “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.”
Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife, was also issued with a fine which has been paid.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has called for parliament to be recalled and for Johnson to resign.
“We want to hear from the prime minister at the earliest possible opportunity to give him the chance to correct his lies and tender his resignation,” he said.
Earlier, Scotland Yard announced it had issued at least 30 more fines related to lockdown breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
In total, the police said 50 referrals for fixed penalty notices (FPN) have so far been made.
The Met is investigating 12 gatherings, including events attended by the prime minister.
The revelations that gatherings were held at the top of government in breach of lockdown led to calls from many, including Tory MPs, that Johnson quit.
The prime minister rebuffed the demands with his allies arguing the war in Ukraine meant it was the wrong time to change prime minister.
One cabinet minister recently said “the world has moved on” on from public anger over the partygate scandal.
But another Tory MP recently told HuffPost UK: “If he doesn’t get fined, he’s got away with it. But if he does, then all bets are off.
“I think there will be resignations from government. If the prime minister breaks the law, then consequences must flow.