However, the scandal is far from over. Johnson is the first incumbent British Prime Minister in modern times to be found to have broken the law, according to British historians. And, finally, the decision of the Parliament can finally be more important than the evaluation of the police. Johnson’s critics on Tuesday already called on him to resign. The prime minister was fined for breaking the law – rules ordered by his government – by attending a rally of “two or more people indoors” at the Cabinet on Downing Street on June 19, 2020. This was a birthday party – attended by about 30 people, with songs and a cake – reportedly hosted by Prime Minister Carrie Johnson’s wife as a surprise for her husband. How many lockdown parties did Boris Johnson and the staff attend? Here is a guide. Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Richie Sunak, who serves as finance minister, were also among those reported by police on Tuesday as part of a criminal investigation into twelve government parties during the pandemic. In a ready-made statement to broadcasters early in the evening and in a subsequent exchange of views with the BBC, Johnson said he had paid his fine and “once again offered a full apology”. According to his account, during a day otherwise full of meetings for Covid and a school visit, he attended a “brief rally” lasting less than 10 minutes, during which the people I work with kindly broadcast their wishes “. “I must say with all honesty at that time it did not cross my mind that this may have been a violation of the rules,” he said. “But of course the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the result of their investigation.” The Prime Minister added: “I understand the anger that many will feel that I myself did not fall when I was going to follow the same rules that the government I lead had introduced to protect the public and I accept with all sincerity that people had the right to wait better. “ Like her husband, her spokeswoman Carrie Johnson said she would pay the fine. The London Metropolitan Police announced on Tuesday that they have now issued 50 fines as part of their investigation into the lockdown attacks on the prime minister’s office and residence and the nearby cabinet. Police did not name who else was fined, which parties they attended or even if the 50 fines went to 50 different people. But as the investigation progresses, more fines are likely for more participants for more rallies – including Johnson. Attendees are believed to be mostly government officials. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be fined by police for attending a party during a lockdown due to a coronavirus, Johnson’s spokesman confirmed on April 12. (Video: Alexa Juliana Ard / The Washington Post, Photo: The Washington Post) Those who are going to be fined are first sent a “fixed penalty notice”. Then they can just pay the amount, which may be 200 200 ($ 263) – half if paid on time. Or they have 28 days to challenge the sentences, so the process could involve more police investigation – even a trip to a courtroom. While the fines may be just a few hundred pounds each, the political cost to Johnson and his government could be significant. The prime minister has in the past tried to downplay the parties as “labor facts”. Earlier, he apologized for some of the rallies, calling them wrong and promising to clear down Downing Street. But he has repeatedly said that, as far as he knew, he and his staff did not break any rules. Now, Johnson is now associated with criminal behavior, whether minor. And his critics will deny that the prime minister is a devil, even a liar, who can not be trusted. His fate may be based on the question of whether he deliberately misled Parliament when he assured that “all instructions were fully complied with in No. 10” and that “no rules for Covid were violated”. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s leader, said both Johnson and Sunak should step down. So did Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labor Party, who said it was “obvious that there was widespread crime” at 10 Downing Street, where Johnson lives and works. Meanwhile, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called on Parliament to return to the House to discuss a motion of censure with the Prime Minister. Johnson’s supporters say it’s time to move on, so Johnson and his government can focus their full attention on the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices and post-Brexit trade deals. In the hours following the announcement of the fines on Tuesday, the prime minister’s press office continued to stress Johnson’s role as a wartime leader, offering reporters a read of his previous conversation with President Biden. Support for the prime minister could now be reduced within his party if his Tory colleagues feel like they have been fooled. Johnson’s fate is in the hands of fellow Conservative MPs, who could challenge the leadership if 54 Conservative MPs submit letters of censure. Stephen Fielding, a political historian at the University of Nottingham, said Johnson may be the first incumbent British prime minister since the 17th century or earlier to be found to have broken the law. That, he said, was “shocking but not shocking.” “In the grand scheme of things, it is a great shock and scandal that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has found that he has broken his own laws and lied about it.” On the other hand, Fielding said, “We knew before Boris Johnson became prime minister that he was lying, misleading people to get where he wanted to go. This has been going on for a long time and we have been waiting for it “. Johnson has long had a relaxed relationship with the truth. He was fired from his job as a journalist at the Times of London for making an excerpt. He also once lost a position in the leadership of his Conservative Party, after admitting that he lied about a romantic relationship. Should Johnson and Sunak be found to have participated in a single rally, a birthday singling party hosted by the prime minister’s wife? Many people may consider it more of a misdemeanor than a felony. Police are investigating 12 rallies, including those involving quiz games, wine and cheese festivals, “BYOB” invitations – and alcohol imported through wheeled luggage. These took place during the government-ordered lockdown, when families had no visits to loved ones in hospitals and the number of attendees at funerals was limited. A party was on the eve of the funeral of Prince Philip, a grim farewell to Windsor Castle, best remembered for the image of Queen Elizabeth II sitting alone and in a mask in St. George’s Chapel, where attendance was limited to 30 mourners. A previous internal merger investigation found that some had shown “serious failure” to meet the standards expected of government officials, leadership failure, and excessive alcohol consumption. Analysts say the focus will be on whether Johnson violated the “ministerial code” or code of conduct supposedly followed by British politicians, deliberately misleading Parliament when he said that “guidance and rules” around parties in Downing Street was “followed at all times.” If he did violate the code, then he should conditionally resign. The British Prime Minister is responsible for enforcing this code. In late 2020, Johnson Home Secretary Pretty Patel was found to have violated the code following an investigation into allegations of bullying. Johnson did not take any further action and is still in the role. Some commentators have questioned whether, given the war in Ukraine, now is the time for the UK to change its leaders. Others point out that Britain changed prime ministers during World War I and World War II. Sunak serves as Chancellor of the Exchequer, responsible for the nation’s finances and budgets. It is one of the “Great State Offices” and when calls were first made for Johnson to resign because of the parties, many members of the Conservative Party speculated that Sunak could be a good replacement. But no more. Sunak has been under intense scrutiny since last week, when the British press revealed that his wife, Aksata Merti, was not paying British taxes on her earnings abroad. Murty is a billionaire who owns millions of shares of Indian tech giant Infosys, which was founded by her father. Murty has claimed “non-resident” status in British tax returns, even though she lives with her husband in Britain. Its tax position is that of many dual nationals. It’s legal, but the visuals are awful. Until last week, when the trucks arrived, Sunak and Merti lived at the chancellor’s residence at 11 Downing Street.
