The fines are the result of a Metropolitan Police investigation into a party on Downing Street and Whitehall in 2020 and 2021. Labor demanded the immediate resignation of both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, and the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, called for a vote of confidence in Mr Johnson. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:09 Denials for the No 10 parties Earlier, the Met revealed that it had now referred more than 50 cases for fixed sentences as a result of an investigation called Operation Hillman. A Downing Street spokesman said: “The prime minister and the chancellor were notified today that the Metropolitan Police intend to impose pre-determined sanctions on them.” Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign. “The Conservatives are completely incapable of governing. Britain deserves better.” In January, the Met launched an investigation into 12 incidents where the restrictions may have been violated. Read more: Everything you need to know about partygate police investigation Officers asked about 100 Downing Street and Whitehall staff members, including the prime minister and chancellor, to complete formal legal questionnaires as part of the investigation. In late March, the force confirmed that detectives had begun questioning key witnesses for details of the questionnaire replies. The Prime Minister received a questionnaire on February 11. He is believed to have attended up to six of the events in question. Police issued the first 20 fines on April 1 to individuals who attended a departure for an employee No. 10 on June 18, 2020 at the Cabinet building at 70 Whitehall. Some of these fines were also imposed on those who attended two events on April 16, 2021, the day before the funeral of Prince Philip. Notice of fixed sentences does not constitute a criminal conviction, but can lead to a summons and prosecution if not paid. The 12 incidents investigated by the police took place on eight separate dates and include a “bring your own drink” event to Downing Street Garden on May 20, 2020, hosted by Prime Minister Martin Reynolds’s chief private secretary. Another was a surprise meeting for Mr. Johnson’s birthday in the Cabinet in June 2020, which was attended by the Chancellor. Several Conservative lawmakers have called for Johnson to resign over the parties, but some have changed their minds since the start of the war in Ukraine just over a month ago. Scotland Yard began its investigation after completing an internal government inquiry led by senior civil servant Sue Gray. A limited edition of her report was published in late January, but many details were removed so as not to jeopardize the police investigation. It is unclear whether the full report will be published now. The prime minister’s spokesman has previously said that talks are needed “with the Met and others on what is appropriate”.
