The fines are the result of a Metropolitan Police investigation into a party on Downing Street and Whitehall in 2020 and 2021. Johnson will become the first incumbent prime minister to be punished for breaking the law. Watch live updates: He calls on the prime minister and the chancellor to resign after the Met said they had broken the law Labor immediately demanded the resignation of both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a vote of confidence in Mr Johnson. Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has also demanded that he step down. 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. Understandably, across the country there have been few examples of more lockout fines issued than at any single address. 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.” A spokesman for the prime minister’s wife said: “For the sake of transparency, Mrs Johnson can confirm that she has been notified that she will receive a fixed penalty notice. She has not received further details about the nature of the FPN.” 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.” Ms Sterzon said: “Boris Johnson must resign. He broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it. “The core values of integrity and decency – necessary for the proper functioning of any parliamentary democracy – demand that he leave. And he should take the non-contact chancellor with him.” Sir Ed Davey said: “The country can not have criminals and liars to lead our government, especially in a time of national and international crisis. “Boris Johnson and Risi Sunak took the country’s sacrifices for granted and broke the law to party on Downing Street. “They are not capable of holding office. If they had a little decency, they would have resigned.” Read more: Everything you need to know about partygate police investigation In January, the Met launched an investigation into 12 incidents where the restrictions may have been violated. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Speaking to the public in December following the first complaint of a party on Downing Street, Mr Johnson said “all instructions were fully followed at No. 10”. Mr Sunak told parliament in December: “No, I did not attend any parties.” 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. Mr Johnson declined to comment on whether he would be “toasted” if he received a sentence and refused to acknowledge that the fines meant the law had been broken – although two cabinet ministers, Dominic Raab and Anne-Marie Trevelyan , they recognized it. were violations of rules. 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”.
