UK Politics

Tory ministers have rallied around Boris Johnson after he was found by police to have broken his own Covid laws.The PM’s cabinet lined up to defend him as he faced calls to resign after being fined for having a birthday party during lockdown at at time when he had banned the public from having gatherings.Many MPs attempted to use Russia’s war against Ukraine to move the conversation on Mr Johnson’s law-breaking and stress the importance of him remaining in office.Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie, and chancellor Rishi Sunak were among 30 people issued with fixed penalty notices on Tuesday following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into parties that took place at Downing Street. Responding to Mr Johnson’s apology, in which he claimed “it did not occur” to him that he was breaching his own lockdown rules, Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted: “This ought to close this matter. There is a war on and the Prime Minister, supported by the Chancellor, provides the leadership the nation needs.”Oliver Dowden, co-chairman of the Conservative party, also showed his support for the prime minister, saying he is “fully behind” him “getting on with the job” at a time when the UK is facing an energy crisis and dealing with the conflict in Ukraine. Foreign secretary Liz Truss said: “The prime minister has apologised and taken responsibility for what happened in Downing Street.”He and the Chancellor are delivering for Britain on many fronts including on the international security crisis we face. They have my 100% backing.”Meanwhile, transport secretary Grant Shapps recalled not being able to visit his father in hospital for four months due to Covid restrictions to illustrate he understands the public “anger”. But he said Mr Johnson has his “full support” as he “leads the West’s response to Putin’s evil war”. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross echoed similar sentiments, saying it “wouldn’t be right” to remove the prime minister during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Mr Ross had previously submitted a letter of no-confidence in Mr Johnson’s leadership but withdrew it following the outbreak of war in eastern Europe.In a statement, he said: “As I’ve made very clear, in the middle of war in Europe, when Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes and the UK is Ukraine’s biggest ally…it wouldn’t be right to remove the prime minister at this time.“It would destabilise the UK government when we need to be united in the face of Russian aggression and the murdering of innocent Ukrainians.”Veteran Conservative Sir Roger Gale has previously called for Boris Johnson to resign over the so-called partygate allegations but said the news of the prime minister being fined should not distract from confronting Russia.He told the Press Association: “It’s serious of course. My position remains that the fact that the Prime Minister has effectively misled the House of Commons is a very serious issue indeed. “But we are in the middle of an international crisis and I am not prepared to give Vladimir Putin the comfort of thinking that we are about to unseat the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and destabilise the coalition against Putin.” More

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has attempted to defend Boris Johnson for breaking his own lockdown laws by suggesting “many teachers and nurses” also broke the rules.The MP for Lichfield rushed to justify Mr Johnson’s breaches of Covid law – at a surprise birthday party thrown for him by wife Carrie and No 10 staff – by claiming the prime minister was not aware at the time that he was breaking the law.Mr Fabricant compared Mr Johnson’s actions, for which he was fined by police on Tuesday, as being like “many teachers and nurses who after a very, very long shift would tend to go back to the staff room and have a quiet drink”. He added: “Which is more or less what he has done.”When asked about the source of his remark which suggested that teachers and nurses had also enagaged in lockdown-breaking activities, Mr Fabricant told BBC News: “Well, I do know of some who did and, you know, its quite natural. I wasn’t saying they were having a party – I am not saying that Boris Johnson was having a party.“But I know nurses who were and I don’t think they were doing anything wrong.“They worked really hard on a long shift and would go back to the staff room and have a drink.”It comes after the prime minister and chancellor Rishi Sunak were on Tuesday issued with fixed penalty notice fines by police investigating breaches of Covid law.Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak both faced immediate calls from opponents to resign.Mr Fabricant issued no such demands, but did urge the prime minister to apologise to the House of Commons.He said: “I think now the PM has got to think hard. I think he should certainly go and make a statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, and I think he’s got to apologise.“Having said that, I don’t think that at any time he thought he was breaking the law.“I don’t know much about the birthday party which you talked about – I wasn’t invited.“I don’t think he thought he was breaking the law, but of course that doesn’t make any sort of excuse.“But we have got to carry on governing.”It comes as a poll found that a majority of people in Britain think the prime minister should resign after being issued with a Covid fine.A snap YouGov poll of 2,460 adults taken on Tuesday found that 57 per cent of people think he should go, with the same proportion thinking the same about the chancellor. More

Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls to resign after it was announced that he, his chancellor Rishi Sunak and wife Carrie Johnson will all receive fixed-penalty notices (FPN) for breaking Covid laws following a police investigation into Downing Street parties during lockdown.Labour leader Keir Starmer called on the politicians to leave office, saying the prime minister and Mr Sunak had “broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public”.Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, said Mr Johnson “must resign” and went as far as accusing him of “breaking the law and repeatedly lying to parliament”. Questions remain over whether he intentionally misled Commons after he told MPs that all Covid rules were followed, and branded various events “work-related”.But, clearly convinced, Ms Sturgeon said on Tuesday: “[Mr Johnson] broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it. The basic values of integrity and decency – essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy – demand that he go. “And he should take his out of touch chancellor with him.”Why were fines issued?The FPNs relate to parties held at No 10 while London, and the rest of the UK, was under strict lockdown regulations. Downing Street has now confirmed that Mr Johnson’s fine relates to a birthday gathering held for him while severe Covid restrictions were imposed on the public. The event, which a Tory MP infamously suggested Mr Johnson had been “ambushed with a cake” at, after it was exposed, was also attended by Mr Sunak and Mrs Johnson.A spokesperson for No 10 said. “The Metropolitan Police have now explained that the FPN issued to the PM will be in relation to the following incident: ‘On 19 June 2020, at the Cabinet Room 10 Downing Street, between 2pm and 3pm, you participated in a gathering of two or more people indoors’,” the official said.Police made clear that further fines may also be issued to those already penalised, suggesting they are working through cases event by event rather than individual by individual. Does this mean Johnson will have a criminal record?The unprecedented development, in what has become the worst scandal to hit the Conservative Party since Mr Johnson took office in 2019, has led many to speculate whether the Tory leader’s FPN means he will now hold a criminal record.In short, the answer to this question is no, he will not. As the Criminal Records Office (Acro) explains on its website: “Fixed penalty notices issued for offences under coronavirus legislation are non-recordable, so whether an FPN is paid or contested, it will not be recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).”However, the government agency adds that what might happen is an offender’s details are “held by the relevant [local police] force”.What next?While it appers Mr Johnson will not come away from Partygate with a criminal record, the embarrassing situation marks the first time a prime minister has been fined or prosecuted for breaking the law during their time in office in such a way.News of his FPN came after the Metropolitan Police force announced it was handing out at least 30 more fines on Tuesday – bringing the total to more than 50 – as part of the Operation Hillman inquiry into 12 events alleged to have broken laws designed to prevent the spread of Covid during 2020 and 2021.Of the 12 gatherings, a number are known to have taken place in 10 Downing Street’s garden, inside No 10 itself, and one in the prime minister’s own residence at No 11.Confirming reports that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak had been told they would be charged, a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office said: “The prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan Police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices.”Refusing to say whether Mr Johnson would contest the fine, likely to be £20 or £50, the official added: “We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do.” More

Boris Johnson has offered a “full apology” and confirmed he has paid a fixed penalty fine for attending a birthday party in Downing Street in June 2020, but insisted that it “did not occur to me” at the time that he had broken the rules.Defending himself against accusations that he misled parliament over parties at No 10, Mr Johnson insisted that he “spoke in completely good faith” when he told the House of Commons that no Covid rules were broken.And he made clear that he will not resign after becoming the first sitting UK prime minister ever to be found by police to have broken the law.Asked if he will quit, he replied: “I want to be able to get on and deliver the mandate that I have.”Speaking at his countryside retreat Chequers shortly after it was revealed that he was among a total of more than 50 ministers, advisers and officials to receive fixed penalty notices, Mr Johnson made clear that he recognised he could face further fines as the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Hillman inquiry continues.Notices were issued to the PM, his wife Carrie and chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in relation to a surprise birthday party held for Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room at No 10 on 19 June 2020.But Mr Johnson is also known to have attended three or more of the other 11 events being investigated by Scotland Yard.Confirming that he had been fined over the birthday party – at which a close ally previously said he was “ambushed with a cake” – Mr Johnson said: “I’ve paid the fine and I once again offer a full apology and in the spirit of openness and humility I want to be completely clear about what happened on that date.”He said that he had started work at 7am that day, chaired eight meetings and gone on a visit to Hemel Hempstead before on his return to Downing Street “there was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm lasting for less than 10 minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes”.And he added: “I have to say in all frankness at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules.”Mr Johnson said he “fully respects” the outcome of the Metropolitan Police investigation and that he accepts that voters “had the right to expect better” from him.“I understand the anger that many will feel that I myself fell short when it came to observing the very rules which the government I lead had introduced to protect the public,” said Mr Johnson. “And I accept in all sincerity that people have the right to expect better. Now I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people – strengthening our economy, creating jobs and opportunities, levelling up across the whole of the United Kingdom, and now of course ensuring that Putin fails in Ukraine and easing the burden on hardworking families caused by higher energy prices.“I take that task with due humility but with maximum determination to fulfill my duty and do what’s best for the country I serve.”But he brushed off calls from opposition leaders and bereaved families for him to resign, saying: “I believe it’s my job to get on and deliver for the people of this country. That’s what I’m going to do.”Challenged over the numerous parties alleged to have been held in Downing Street, which is his workplace as well as his home, he said: “Of course I take full responsibility for everything, but don’t forget the Downing Street is about, you know, 15,000 square feet. It’s got a lot of officials working in it – hundreds and hundreds of officials. I couldn’t be everywhere at once.“But clearly once it became obvious what had been happening, the types of behaviour that unfortunately sadly we’d seen, we’ve taken steps to change things and Downing Street has been radically transformed.” More

Councils have been told to stop giving a free pass to landlordsrenting out dangerous homes – amid mounting evidence they are taking a “soft touch approach”.Tenants unions are leading calls to bring in landlord licensing schemes and step up enforcement of existing ones, after it emerged that some local authorities have issued zero fines.3.2m renters live in dangerous or unhealthy conditions across the country according research by the housing charity Shelter – with broken windows, damp and mould common in Britain’s dilapidated rented housing stock.While councils have the power to require licences for people who let out homes and to hold them to a certain standard, many do not use it or do little enforcement.Around 50 local authorities in England operate licensing schemes of some kind, including 22 London borough, though most of these schemes do not cover all landlords.But half of local authorities have not prosecuted a single landlord for three years from 2018 to 2021, according to research by investigative journalists at the website OpenDemocracy.Only 1,000 rogue landlords have been prosecuted during that time despite government estimates in 2015 that there are at least 10,500 not upholding their obligations to tenantsKenny Love of the London Renters Union, which represents 5,600 members across the capital, said councils “simply aren’t doing enough to carry out their duty to protect renters”.Councils’ approach all too often “makes it cheaper for landlords to break the rules than follow them, resulting in dangerous and miserable disrepair and illegal eviction for hundreds of thousands of renters,” he said.Mr Love added: “If the rules around MOTs weren’t enforced there would be a big increase in car crashes and it’s the same with our city’s housing system. Councils aren’t taking action when landlords break the rules and as a result there are 300,000 Londoners living in private rented homes that are unsafe.”Sumaya Hassan, from the tenants union ACORN, which organises tenants outside the capital said: “From broken windows to damp and mould, tenants are living in unacceptable conditions and being turned away by those who should be helping them. “Private renters pay their council tax to ensure we get the public services we need, and currently our needs are being ignored. ACORN supports the call for councils to do more for tenants and crack down on unacceptable behaviour from landlords”Licences are mandatory across the country for houses of multiple occupation or HMOs – covering larger house-shares with five or more people in two or more family units.But councils can also choose extend HMO licensing to smaller house shares with three or more people if they wish, setting codes of conduct and inspection regimes.And with permission from the government councils can also introduce so-called selective licensing, which covers all landlords in a given area.But they can only in a specific area which they can demonstrate is subject to poor property conditions, an influx of migration, a high level of deprivation or high levels of crime.Campaigners have had some success in convincing councils to sign up to licensing and stricter enforcement ahead of next month’s local elections. Brent Labour Party says it will apply for borough-wide landlord licensing and fine landlords renting out cold homes if it retains control of the council after May. Meanwhile in Tower Hamlets independent mayoral candidate Lutfur Rahman, who previously ran the borough, has also said he will do the same. The borough’s Labour Mayor John Biggs said the council had “a positive record on introducing measures to improve the quality of private rented sector housing”. Mr Biggs added: “We want to go further by increasing our enforcement action, extending our landlord licensing scheme and increasing the amount of rent repayment orders secured for tenants.”Peray Ahmet, leader of Haringey’s Labour group, said the party’s manifesto “commits us to further extend Haringey’s Landlord Licensing Scheme to complement the comprehensive scheme already in place”.She added: “I am absolutely clear that no one should have to spend more than a third of their income on rent, yet this is just not the reality for London renters. To combat the cost of living crisis, we urgently need the freeze on rents that the Mayor of London is calling for – this of course would require the government to change the law.“ More

No 10 has confirmed Boris Johnson’s partygate fine relates to a birthday gathering held for the prime minister while severe Covid restrictions were imposed on the public.The event, which a Tory MP infamously suggested Mr Johnson had been “ambushed with a cake” at, after it was exposed, was also attended by Rishi Sunak and Carrie Johnson.Both the chancellor and the prime minister’s wife, Carrie, have also been informed by the Metropolitan Police they will be issued with a fixed-penalty notice as part of their investigation into 12 separate events.Earlier on Tuesday, the force announced 30 additional fines in relation to Operation Hillman, which is examining breaches of Covid regulations at the top of government during lockdowns.In an update, a No 10 spokesperson said: “The Met Police have now examined that the FPN issued to the PM will be in relation to the following incident.“On 19 June 2020 at the Cabinet Room 10 Downing Street between 1400 and 1500 you participated in a gathering of two or more people indoors in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street.”In January, ITV News first reported the birthday gathering on 19 June 2020 when people were forbidden from mixing indoors with people outside their own household or support bubble as part of England’s first lockdown.Just days before the event, Mr Johnson told the public to “continue to show restraint and respect the rules which are designed to keep us all safe”.When the event first came to light the Tory MP Conor Burns — a long-time ally of the prime minister — was ridiculed after he attempt to defend Mr Johnson saying he was “ambushed with a cake” and that it was “not a premeditated, organised party”.He added at the time: “They came to his office with a cake, they sang happy birthday, he was there for 10 minutes – I don’t think most people looking at that at home would characterise that as a party.” More

Boris Johnson remains under intense pressure over Partygate again, after both the prime minister and his chancellor Rishi Sunak were handed fixed penalty notice fines by the Metropolitan Police.Scotland Yard announced more than 50 fines for government staff members over law-breaking events held at Downing Street and Whitehall during the Covid pandemic.Having initially said in December he was “sickened” at the idea of No 10 staff flouting rules, Mr Johnson found himself forced to admit that he too had attended an event on 20 May 2020.Since then, more and more damning details have appeared about further pandemic-era parties allegedly held behind the scenes in Westminster.The Independent looks at all the claims of parties and investigations into gatherings across No 10, government departments and at Conservative Party HQ.15 May 2020 – No 10 garden gatheringA joint investigation by The Independent and The Guardian revealed a wine and pizza gathering was held in the No 10 rose garden on 15 May 2020 – despite people from different households being restricted to one-on-one meetings outdoors.An image later published showed wine and cheese being consumed by the prime minister, Ms Johnson, advisers including Dominic Cummings and Matt Hancock, the former health secretary. Mr Johnson has previously insisted “those people were at work, talking about work”. At the time, Covid laws banned gatherings of more than two people unless they met specific exemptions, such as being “for work purposes”.20 May 2020 – ‘Bring your own booze’In a blog post, Mr Cummings, the PM’s former chief adviser, dismissed the idea that the 15 May photograph depicted a party, insisting it was common practice for meetings to be held in the open air of the garden.However, he claimed that a “socially distanced drinks” event did take place on 20 May 2020. The row exploded as a leaked email sent from the prime minister’s private secretary showed over 100 No 10 staff were invited to the event, told to “bring your own booze”.Mr Johnson subsequently apologised, confirming that he attended the event for around 25 minutes but assumed it was “a work event” – an execuse that drew laughs of incredulity in the Commons and mockery from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.This became one of 12 events investigated by the Metropolitan Police as part of the Operation Hillman investigation, after senior civil servant Sue Gray’s interim report looked into claims surrouning 16 events.18 June 2020 – Cabinet Office leaving doMs Gray’s interim report said a gathering in the 70 Whitehall building was held to mark the departure of a No 10 private secretary. It is one of the events the police been investigating.The event had not previously been disclosed, but The Telegraph said the official in question is former home affairs policy adviser Hannah Young, who left Downing Street to take up the role of deputy consul general in New York.19 June 2020 – Boris Johnson’s birthdayDowning Street staff allegedly held an afternoon birthday party for Mr Johnson at No 10. His wife, Carrie Johnson, led the surprise gathering where there was cake, a singing of happy birthday, and picnic food from M&S, ITV News reported.A No 10 spokeswoman confirmed that a group of staff had “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room “to wish the prime minister a happy birthday”, adding: “He was there for less than 10 minutes.”But No 10 denied a claim that Mr Johnson’s friends and family were hosted upstairs in his flat for an event later that evening.Mr Sunak is said to have received his fixed penalty notice (PFN) fine for attending the birthday party at No 10 Cabinet Room, which is subject to the police probe.13 November 2020 – Downing Street ‘flat party’Another allegation made by Mr Cummings was of a “flat party” in Mr Johnson’s official residence with Ms Johnson on 13 November 2020 – the same day he left Downing Street. Mr Cummings claimed staff in the press office “could hear the music playing loudly”.Asked at PMQs in December whether there had been a party on 13 November 2020, Mr Johnson said “no” but added: “I’m sure that whatever happened the guidance was followed at all times.”This is another of the events which police detectives have been looking into. According to reports at the time, Mr Johnson gave a leaving speech for Lee Cain, his departing director of communications and a close ally of Mr Cummings. New lockdown laws, imposed earlier in November 2020, had once again banned gatherings and leaving home “without reasonable excuse”. Indoor gatherings were allowed in some circumstances if “required precautions” were undertaken.27 November 2020 – Cleo Watson’s leaving eventAnother leaving event was reported to have been held two weeks later — when the lockdown remained in place — for adviser Cleo Watson, with the prime minister personally delivering a speech while alcohol was consumed. It was one of the events looked at by Ms Gray, but police chose not to investigate.10 December 2020 – Education department drinks eventAlso under scrutiny is a social event reportedly held at the London offices of the Department for Education on 10 December 2020, instigated by the then-education secretary Gavin Williamson to thank his staff.The department has admitted a “gathering of colleagues” took place on 10 December, with “drink and snacks brought by those attending”, adding: “Looking back we accept it would have been better not have gathered in this way at that particular time”.The law had changed again, including different levels of restrictions for different areas according to Covid rates. London was in Tier 2, which banned indoor social gatherings unless specific exemptions applied.14 December 2020 – Shaun Bailey’s Tory HQ doFour days later, with Londoners still subject to Tier 2 restrictions, a party took place at the Conservative Party headquarters in Westminster. A spokesperson for the party has previously said the event was “unauthorised” and “formal disciplinary action” was taken against four CCHQ staff seconded to the then London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey’s campaign.The Mirror newspaper later published an image of the gathering — which feature staffers and a catered buffet – leading to the resignation of Mr Bailey from an official role at the London Assembly as chair of the police and crime committee. 15 December 2020 – Christmas quizThe following day, No 10 staff were involved in a festive quiz, with reports suggesting invites were sent out in advance. An image later published by The Sunday Mirror showed the prime minister flanked by colleagues, with one draped in tinsel and another wearing a Santa hat.Downing Street said the prime minister had “briefly” attended the quiz – after the photographic evidence emerged – but insisted it was a virtual event and claimed he broke no rules. Tier 2 laws remained in force.16 December 2020 – Transport department drinks eventThe Mirror reported senior civil servants were “boozing and dancing” at yet another event, this one allegedly planned by staff from transport secretary Grant Shapps’ office.A departmental spokesman said: “Fewer than a dozen staff who were working in the office had a low-key, socially distanced gathering … where food and drink was consumed. We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgement.”At midnight, London had been moved into tougher Tier 3 restrictions and indoor gatherings remained banned.17 December 2020 – More No 10 leaving drinksA leaving do was held for a departing Downing Street official. The Telegraph reported that the staff member in question was Captain Steve Higham, then one of Mr Johnson’s private secretaries, who advised on defence and national security issues.The Mirror, which first reported the event also probed by the police, said Mr Johnson was only there “for a few minutes”.17 December 2020 – Cabinet Office drinks eventsThe former director-general of the Government’s Covid Taskforce, Kate Josephs, said she was “truly sorry” over leaving drinks held in the Cabinet Office.Separately cabinet secretary Simon Case removed himself from the inquiry into Whitehall parties – to be replaced by Ms Gray – after reports emerged of a gathering in the Cabinet Office. Both events have been probed by police.The Cabinet Office said Mr Case played no part in the event “but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own”. 18 December 2020 – ‘Christmas party’ that started scandalAllegations of a Christmas party held in No 10 on 18 December 2020 were the focus of much anger at the end of the last year when the reports first emerged in The Mirror newspaper. The event happened while London remained in strict Tier 3 measures and just a day before Mr Johnson imposed an effective lockdown in the capital and vast swathes of the country.Mr Johnson was forced to address the issue in the Commons after the explosive leak of a video showing No 10 staff holding a mock press conference and making jokes about a Christmas party. It led to the resignation of government aide Allegra Stratton and the prime minister announcing Ms Gray’s investigation, claiming he was “shocked” by the video. “I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up,” Mr Johnson told MPs.14 January 2021 – More No 10 leaving drinksThe Met police force said one of the 12 events being probe was a gathering was held in No 10 to mark the departure of two private secretaries.Reports have suggested the PM attended the leaving event, which was for a senior civil servant in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, according to The Telegraph. The other official’s identity is so far unknown.16 April 2021 – Leaving drinks on eve of Philip’s funeralReports of gatherings at No 10 appeared in The Daily Telegraph alleging that two parties took place on the evening of Friday 16 April 2021 – when England was under Step 2 Covid restrictions that banned indoor mixing. The events occurred on the evening before Prince Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor that saw the Queen sit alone at a socially-distanced ceremony.According to the newspaper, witnesses said that “excessive alcohol” was drunk, attendees danced to music DJ’d by a special adviser and at one point a staffer was allegedly sent to a local Co-op supermarket with a suitcase to with bottles of wine.One event was held for James Slack, the then-director of communications at No 10, who now works as deputy editor-in-chef at The Sun newspaper, and the other for Mr Johnson’s personal photographer. More