The Metropolitan Police force said Tuesday it would not identify the recipients of the specified penalty notices, but Johnson’s office said it would reveal if it would receive them. It was not clear whether 20 people received fines or whether some people received more than one. Opponents, including some members of the ruling Conservative Party, have said that Johnson should resign if he is fined for breaking the rules he imposed on the rest of the country during the pandemic. The partygate scandal had left Johnson in office precarious before Russia launched a war in Ukraine more than a month ago, giving British politicians more urgent priorities. However, police continued to investigate dozens of politicians and officials over allegations that the government violated its own pandemic restrictions. Police sent questionnaires to more than 100 people, including the prime minister, and interviewed witnesses as part of the investigation. Confirming that it had approved 20 fines, the police force said the police were processing “a significant amount of investigative material” and more people may face sanctions later.
Public anger
The Johnson’s government was shocked by the public outcry over revelations that its staff had “bring your own drink” office parties, birthday parties and “Wine Hours” in 2020 and 2021, while millions in Britain were banned from meet with friends and relatives because of his government. COVID-19 Restrictions. Thousands were fined between 60 60 ($ 99 Cdn) and (10,000 ($ 16,419 Cdn) by police for violating the rules. Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but has reportedly been involved in many of the dozens of incidents at his 10 Downing Street office and other government buildings that are being investigated by police. He admitted to attending a “bring your own drink” party to Downing Street Garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he thought it would be a work event. In January, civil servant Sue Gray published a report on some of the gatherings, which are not subject to criminal investigation. He said “leadership and crisis failures” in the Johnson administration allowed things to happen that should not have happened. Johnson’s spokesman Max Blaine declined to say whether the prime minister would step down if fined. “It’s a hypothetical situation,” he said.
‘Slap in the face’
Angela Reiner, vice-president of the opposition Labor Party, said the party’s revelations were a “slap in the face” to millions who had followed national restrictions on the coronavirus. “Culture is at the top,” he said. “The money stops with the prime minister, who spent months lying to the British public, so he has to leave.” Hannah Brady, spokeswoman for COVID-19 Beeaved Families for Justice, said Johnson “should have resigned months ago.” “By dragging more, all he does is add more salt to the wounds of those who have already suffered so much.”
