Partygate: UK PM and chancellor apologise for breaking law in lockdown - BBC News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been fined by the police for attending a birthday party thrown for him during a Covid lockdown.

The prime minister confirmed he had paid the fixed penalty notice for going to the hour-long gathering in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the PM's wife were also fined for the same event, and confirmed they had paid.

All three apologised for attending, but neither Mr Johnson or Mr Sunak offered to resign.

The BBC’s Ros Atkins explains the latest developments.

#UK #BBCNews

[jonw]

No worries lads, we all make mistakes 💪. It’s just we get fired and almost become homeless when we do it.

[elmorientez]

Boris and Sunak shouldn't resign.

They shouldn't be allowed to have the choice. They should be forcefully ejected from office.

[t.dmytryshyn]

OMG He couldn't even give a heart-felt apology without using notes. Boris is really pathetic.

[qwertyasf]

The French would be out there raising hell, but the British just go on about resignation which will be staunchly ignored. Sad

[salmo]

"No Mr speaker, I did not attend any parties" said the chancellor. This is the greatest lie ever recorded on tape . It is total humiliation! Johnson can say he did not fully understand his own created and implemented law, far from this being a quick escape out of blame, it is plea for humiliating condemnation!

[JULTAR]

Normal person breaks the lockdown rules: gets fined, arrested, jailed, loses job and gets their life basically destroyed by public shaming

Boris breaks lockdown law’s that HE HIMSELF puts into place and lies for over a year that it ever happened infront of thousands: gets a small fine and a slap on the wrist

nice

[mickdebergerac]

It is fact that ignorance of the law is no defence.
As a benefit claimant if you inadvertently forget something that would affect your claim, later down the line you will be penalised.

[tracybell]

The man who kept his Gym open got a 56 grand fine.
Boris got a 50 pound fine.

[rhyshickman]

He was only fined £50 considering some people had to fork out £10, 000 for fines for breaking the rules. Considering how much money they make they should be forced to pay more. Lying and preaching one thing to us, the general public. Then doing the exact opposite, HE NEEDS TO LEAVE NOW!!

[L.C.Sweeney]

"I once again offer a full apology."
He didn't actually apologise. He can't just say the word "sorry." He's an absolute disgrace and he needs to be removed from parliament.

[towerbunga]

I love how you can even see how much the reporter is pissed off by it

[rhynzard]

As nurse I'm absolutely disgusted. These idiots are shameless.

[anne-mariejane]

An apology from any politician means nothing, . Anything that comes out of any politicians mouth is just empty words that are filled simply with hot air.

[SonicHydra]

If the punishment for breaking a law is a fine, then that law only exists for those that can't afford it.

[chrismurphy]

He covered up his crimes for over two years which shows his contempt for the people of this country

[AliN-bbrt]

I was recently send a fine for driving on a bus lane even though I accept the fine that was issued to me, I quite frankly do not understand why I was fined because at the time of driving on the bus lane I thought my car was a bus!

[robertgreen]

Most criminals apologies when cornered.

[fortnitegamer]

Apology is not enough! He broke the law then lied about it! He needs to step down, every single one of the party goers should step down! Absolutely disgusting that he breaks the law, lies about it then thinks a sorry is enough.

[banditbaker]

I don't want to hear an apology I only want to hear that he is resigning

[kitbarrows]

We dont want apologies, we want resignations.