Chancellor Rishi Sunak has issued an apology after he received a fine along with Prime Minister Boris Johnson for breaching Covid regulations.
In a statement, Rishi Sunak offered a 'unreserved apology' and signalled he would stay in his job.
The Chancellor said: “I can confirm I have received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan Police with regards to a gathering held on June 19 in Downing Street.
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“I offer an unreserved apology.
“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.”
Earlier on, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered his own apology to the British people, speaking from Downing Street.
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Johnson said: "Today I've received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan police relating to a Downing Street Event on 19 June 2020.
"Let me say immediately, I have paid the fine and want to offer a fulsome apology."
He added: "There was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm lasting less than 10 minutes during which people I worked with passed on their good wishes.
"In that time it did not occur to me this might have been a breach of the rules.
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"The police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation."
Downing Street also offered their own statement, confirming that the fines issued related to an event to celebrate the Prime Minister's birthday on June 19 2020.
That statement read: “The Met police have now explained that the FPN issued to the PM will be in relation to the following incident: ‘On 19th June 2020 at the Cabinet Room 10 Downing Street between 1400 and 1500 you participated in a gathering of two or more people indoors in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street.’”
The Prime Minister's wife Carrie Johnson was also fined, and confirmed in a statement that she had already paid the fine, despite describing claims that parties took place in Downing Street during lockdown as 'total nonsense'.
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She said: “Mrs Johnson has paid a Fixed Penalty Notice relating to a gathering on the afternoon of 19 June 2020.
"Whilst she believed that she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Mrs Johnson accepts the Metropolitan Police’s findings and apologises unreservedly.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer has since called for the Prime Minister to resign, tweeting: “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public.
“They must both resign.
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He added: “The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: UK News