Boris Johnson And Rishi Sunak To Be Fined Over Lockdown-Breaking Parties

The Metropolitan Police is set to fine Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak for breaching lockdown rules.

The fixed penalty notice sent to the prime minister and Mr Sunak is part of fines sent to government staff who attended parties in Whitehall when COVID restrictions were in place during 2020 and 2021.

In January, the Met launched an investigation into 12 events where restrictions may have been breached.

Officers required around 100 Downing Street and Whitehall staff members to fill out questionnaires as part of the investigation - named Operation Hillman.

The Met Police made clear the document had formal legal status and must be answered truthfully.

In late March, the force confirmed detectives had begun interviewing key witnesses on details related to the questionnaire responses.

The prime minister received a questionnaire on 11 February. It is thought he attended as many as six of the events under scrutiny.

Police issued the first 20 fines on 1 April to people who attended a leaving do for a Number 10 official on 18 June 2020 in the Cabinet Office building at 70 Whitehall.

Some of those fines were also handed out to people who attended two events on 16 April 2021, the day before Prince Philip's funeral.

Fixed penalty notices do not amount to a criminal conviction, but they can result in a court summons and criminal prosecution if they are not paid.

The 12 events investigated by the police took place over eight separate dates and include a "bring your own booze" event in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020, organised by the PM's principal private secretary Martin Reynolds. Another was a surprise birthday gathering for Mr Johnson in the cabinet room in June 2020, attended by the chancellor.

Several Conservative MPs had called for Mr Johnson to resign over the parties, but some have changed their stance since the war in Ukraine began just over a month ago.

Scotland Yard launched its investigation following the conclusion of the internal government inquiry led by senior civil servant Sue Gray.

A restricted version of her report was published at the end of January, but many details were removed so as not to compromise the police investigation.

It is unclear whether the full report will now be published. The PM's official spokesman has previously said discussions were needed "with the Met and others about what is suitable".