LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced fury in the House of Commons after receiving a fine from the police for breaking lockdown laws.

Most Tory MPs rallied behind the PM as he repeatedly apologized for attending a birthday party in Downing Street in 2020, saying he did not think he was breaking the law at the time.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called his apology "a joke" as MPs from all parties criticized his behavior. Tory MP Mark Harper called on the PM to quit over his "indefensible" actions.

Labour has secured a vote on Thursday on whether a Commons committee should investigate if the PM misled Parliament. Knowingly misleading Parliament is a resigning offense under government rules.

If MPs vote for an inquiry, the privileges committee — made of seven MPs— could recommend sanctions, including an apology, a suspension or even expulsion from the Commons.

But the move is unlikely to succeed because the majority of Conservative MPs are standing by the PM, and they are likely to be ordered to vote against the Labour motion.

Asked directly by Tory MP Peter Bone if he had deliberately misled MPs in his past statements on Downing Street parties, Johnson said: "No."

Last week saw Johnson become the first sitting prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law when he was fined by the Metropolitan Police, alongside his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, over a birthday gathering for the PM in No 10 in June 2020.

The PM and others who partied in Downing Street during lockdown are widely expected to receive further fines, as the police continue their investigation.

But in his first Commons statement on his law-breaking, Johnson said he wanted to get on with the job of "delivering on the priorities of the country at a difficult time".

He told MPs: "It did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on COVID strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

"I repeat that was my mistake and I apologize for it unreservedly.

"I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps."

But Sir Keir called the PM's apology "mealy-mouthed".

The Labour leader accused Johnson of offering "insulting" and "absurd" excuses for his COVID fine, and said he had eroded public trust in politicians.

Sir Keir also said the prime minister had been "dishonest" — but withdrew the remark after being rebuked by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for breaking the rule that MPs do not accuse each other of dishonesty during debates.

The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, called the PM "a lawbreaker" and "a serial offender", adding: "If he has any decency, any dignity, he would not just apologize, he would resign."

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said it was "profoundly damaging" to the UK to be "led by a man the public no longer trust and no longer have confidence in".

Tory MPs lined up to back the prime minister, who made repeated references to the war in Ukraine in his statement.

But former Tory chief whip Mark Harper joined those calling for him to go — saying his actions had been "indefensible".

He said the PM "hasn't been straightforward" with MPs, adding: "I'm very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds."

Harper has submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, which organizes Tory leadership contests.

A total of 54 letters would trigger a contest, but there is no running tally given of those handed in, with the number only revealed by Sir Graham when it reaches the threshold.

The PM is currently meeting his backbench MPs in the Commons as he tries to shore up support from within the Conservative Party.

He was seen arriving flanked by members of his Cabinet, including Chancellor Sunak, and was greeted by the banging of tables as they welcomed him.

Johnson was understood to have asked MPs if they would rather have him or Labour in power, adding: "We're going to get on with our one-nation Conservative agenda." — BBC