Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that he had paid a fine from police for attending a birthday party in violation of a blockade at his official residence, making him the first British leader to be sanctioned for breaking the law while on duty.
Fines for Johnson, his wife Carrie and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak brought the prime minister’s boiling crisis back to full swing, with opposition politicians calling for his resignation immediately.
The news came after London police said they had issued at least 50 fines after investigating a dozen incidents at 10 Downing Street and other government buildings.
Johnson’s government was rocked by public outrage over revelations that its staff had organized “bring alcohol” parties, birthday parties and “wine Fridays” in 2020 and 2021, while millions in Britain were banned from attending. meet with friends and family because of him government restrictions on COVID-19.
“I paid the fine and I want to apologize in full,” Johnson said. “I understand the anger that many will feel that I myself have failed to follow the very rules that the government I lead has introduced to protect the public. I accept with all my sincerity that people have a right to expect better. “
Downing Street said Johnson was sanctioned for attending a “gathering of two or more people indoors in the office of Downing Street 10” on June 19, 2020. The event was a surprise birthday party for the prime minister.
Johnson said the rally lasted “less than 10 minutes” and “it didn’t occur to me at the time that this could be a rule violation.”
Call for a vote of no confidence
The police did not identify the recipients or the amount of the fines. Thousands were fined between £ 60 ($ 99 Cdn) and £ 10,000 ($ 16,443) by police for violating social gatherings.
Carrie Johnson said she had been informed she would be fined, although she had not yet received details.
Opponents and some members of the ruling Conservative Party have argued for months that Johnson should resign if fined for violating rules he imposed on the rest of the country during the pandemic.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public,” said Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labor Party. “The Conservatives are completely unfit to rule. Britain deserves better.”
Opposition parties have called for lawmakers to be recalled from their Easter holiday for a no-confidence vote against Johnson.
British Finance Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the London House of Commons last month. Sunak paid a fine and apologized for attending a rule-breaking party, the latest hit for the cabinet member. (Jessica Taylor / UK Parliament / Reuters)
The COVID-19 Grieving Families Justice Group said there was “simply no way” for Johnson or Sunak to stay in their jobs.
“Their dishonesty has caused indescribable injuries to the bereaved,” said group spokesman Lobby Aquinola. “Not only that, but they have lost all trust in the general public.”
In all, police said they had imposed at least 50 fines for the violations, but did not specify who the recipients were. Police say they sent questionnaires to more than 100 people, including the prime minister, and questioned witnesses as part of the investigation.
Johnson’s international image, battered by Britain’s confused exit from the European Union under his leadership, was revived by his strong military, political and moral support for Ukraine. Johnson traveled to Kyiv last weekend to meet with President Vladimir Zelensky.
Johnson could also take advantage of the plight of Sunak, the 41-year-old finance minister who is considered a potential rival and successor. Sunak’s fine comes as he also faces a backlash about rising living costs and, more recently, questions about his financial arrangements and his wealthy wife’s tax status.
Sunak said in a statement that he had paid his fine and regretted the “disappointment and anger” caused. “I offer an unreserved apology,” he said in a statement. “I understand that for public figures, the rules must be strictly enforced in order to maintain public confidence.”
Influence on the forthcoming votes to be observed
A total of 16 countries were investigated by senior government official Sue Gray, a dozen of whom were also being investigated by Sofia police.
In January, Civil Servant Gray published a report on gatherings that have not been investigated. She said the “failures of leadership and judgment” in Johnson’s government allowed events to happen that should not have happened.
The report says some rallies show “serious non-compliance” with government standards, and some party behavior is “difficult to justify” given how the public has been asked to limit its lives.
Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank, said the “party door” had damaged the reputation of both the government and the civil service.
“The release ‘This is one rule for them and another law for the rest of us’ really resonates,” she said.
Rutter said Johnson is probably safe for now, but could face new dangers if the Conservatives strike in local elections next month.
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