By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson has apologized after being fined by the Met Police for breaking lockdown rules.
The fixed penalty notices are the result of a Metropolitan Police investigation into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall in 2020 and 2021.
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The prime minister offered an apology and said he wanted to deliver the mandate he has, and tackle the problems the country must face now.
The prime minister said: “I have paid the fine and I once again offer a full apology.”
In response to questions relating to whether he would quit over the fine, Mr Johnson said: “I want to be able to get on and deliver the mandate that I have, but also to tackle the problems that the country must face right now.”
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The prime minister insisted he had only attended for 10 minutes between a heavy rota of meetings and events on his 56th birthday. He also refused to rule out receiving more fines for other events in future.
Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister said : ‘The best thing I can do, having paid the fine, is focus on the job in hand … I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people.’
Both Mr Johnson and his wife have paid their fines, believed to be £50, and apologised for the party on June 19, 2020. He told reporters tonight: ‘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.
‘But, of course, the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation.
‘I understand the anger 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.
‘And I accept, in all sincerity, that people had the right to expect better.’
Meanwhile Mr Sunak has also issued an ‘unreserved apology’, adding in a statement he understands ‘that for figures in public office the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence’.
Discussing how he had been fined for attending his own birthday party in the Cabinet room in Downing Street in June 2020, the prime minister said “in all frankness at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules”.
In a statement Mr Sunak offered an “unreserved apology”, but indicated he would not resign.
He said: “I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence. I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine.
“I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.
“Like the Prime Minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.”
The fixed penalty notices are the result of a Metropolitan Police investigation into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall in 2020 and 2021.
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