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Johnson, Sunak fined over Downing Street lockdown parties

April 12, 2022
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have been fined over Downing Street lockdown parties.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have been fined over Downing Street lockdown parties.

LONDON — UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been fined over Downing Street lockdown parties. Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak were given six fines between them for breaking the government's own COVID regulations.

"The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan Police intend to issue them with six penalty notices," a spokesman for 10 Downing Street said.

It is not yet clear which party the two most senior Conservatives are being fined for attending. No 10 confirmed the pair had received notification from the Metropolitan Police that they would be given fixed penalty notices.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for the two politicians to resign. The Met is investigating alleged COVID law-breaking at 12 gatherings in Whitehall and Downing Street.

So far, more than 50 fines have been handed out.

The police said they would not be naming all of those who received the fines, but the government had promised to reveal if Johnson and Sunak were among them.

Sir Keir said it showed the Conservatives were "totally unfit to govern", adding: "Britain deserves better.”

"Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for Parliament — which is currently on its Easter recess — to be recalled to hold a no confidence vote in the prime minister.

He added: "This is a government in crisis neglecting a country in crisis." — Agencies


April 12, 2022
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