Boris Johnson Will Not Be Fined Over Lockdown Parties At This Time

Boris Johnson has not been issued with a fine for breaching Covid regulations at this time, a spokesman for the Prime Minster has confirmed.

Asked whether Johnson had received a fine or been told he would be fined, Reuters reports his spokesman told reporters: "No. We've said we will update if that were to occur but our position has not changed."

It is not believed that - beyond Johnson - the names of those who do receive fines would be released, even if they were within his immediate professional or personal circle.

The spokesperson continued: “The identities of people dealt with in this way would not be released or confirmed, that’s what the Met themselves have made clear.

“Obviously recognising the significant public interest in the Prime Minister we are committed to updating should that occur in his case.”

However, he said this approach would not apply to others in Johnson's family or office.

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Asked if Downing Street staff had been asked to tell No. 10 if they received a fixed penalty notice, the spokesman said: “No, as you know, there is a process here and the Met themselves set that out, obviously a number of officials – not just in Downing Street but beyond – took part in Sue Gray’s investigation where they provided information. But as relates to this specific process, no they would not.”

Downing Street has denied that Johnson misled the House of Commons when he told MPs that Covid regulations had not been broken, with his spokesman saying the Prime Minister had 'set out his understanding of events' at 'all times'.

When asked if Johnson would apologise now that police have said that the law had been broken, the spokesman said there would be more to say when the investigation officially concluded.

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“The Prime Minister has apologised to the House already,” he said.

“He has said sorry for the things that we did not get right. He has said sorry for the ways things have been handled and that mistakes have been made.

“You can expect to hear more from the Prime Minister when the investigation is concluded and Sue Gray has set out her report.”

Downing Street has also refused to comment on whether Boris Johnson would resign if he was issued with a fixed penalty notice, with the spokesman saying that was a 'hypothetical situation'.

The spokesman also declined to say whether or not individuals who were fined could continue working at No. 10, adding: “There are specific HR processes in place for individuals. I am not going get into what those entail in detail."