By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson has offered a “wholehearted apology” in his first Commons appearance since being fined by police for breaking his own lockdown rules.
The Prime Minister told MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon that he did not knowingly break the rules at a 2020 birthday party at No 10, and urged MPs to focus on pressing issues such as the invasion of Ukraine.
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He said: “I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House.”
There were shouts of “resign” in the Commons as he spoke..
Mr Johnson, along with his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, were fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday party thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place.
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Labour leader, Keir Starmer called for integrity to be brought back to politics, as he dismissed the prime minister’s explanations to the British public as a joke.
“There are many decent honourable members opposite who do respect hte British public. They know things can’t go on as they are.
“They know it’s their responsibility to bring an end to this shameful chapter. I urge them once again: don’t follow the slipstream of an out of control prime minister.
“Put their country first. Remove the prime minister from office.
“Bring honesty and integrity back into our politics.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer dismisses the PM’s excuses over partygate as a “joke”.
He says: “The damage is done. The public have made up their mind. They don’t believe a word the PM says.
“As ever, those close to him find themselves ruined.
“Good ministers forced to walk away from public service. The Chancellor’s career up in flames… the Scottish Conservative leader rendered pathetic.
“For all those unfamiliar with this PM’s career – this isn’t some fixable glitch in the system… it’s what he does and who he is.
Starmer said Britons “don’t believe a word the prime minister says”, adding that he is a “man without shame”.
“As the mealy-mouthed apology stumbles from one side of his mouth, more deflections and distortions come from the other,” he added, “it’s what he does. It’s who he is. He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing”.
Conservative former chief whip Mark Harper told Mr Johnson he is no longer “worthy” to be PM after being fined and submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM.
It comes ahead of a Commons debate on Thursday looking at whether the prime minister misled MPs by claiming all rules were followed on Downing Street during the pandemic.
The speaker of the house criticised Keir Starmer’s accusation of Boris Johnson as dishonest, telling him the language was improper.
He said: “He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing so he drags everybody else down with him.”
Sir Lindsay interjected: “I think the leader of the Opposition said ‘dishonest’.
“I don’t think that’s an appropriate word to be using.
“I think if he just withdraws that, I’m sure with the knowledge he has gained over the many years, he can use appropriate words that is in keeping with the language of this house.”
Sir Keir continued: “I respect that ruling from the chair. The Prime Minister knows what he is.”
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