BORIS Johnson has been urged to “come clean” on whether he has been issued with a second fine for breaking the law amid reports that officials in No 10 have begun to receive Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for the “bring your own booze” party held in 2020.
The Prime Minister has admitted to attending the boozy bash to which around 100 staff were invited – but claimed he “believed implicitly” it was a work event.
Johnson's former principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, sent an email to staff ahead of the event on May 20, 2020, saying: “Hi all, after what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!"
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Carrie Johnson – the Prime Minister’s wife who has previously insisted she has nothing to do with government business – also attended the event.
Between 30 and 40 people are said to have attended, with food and wine set out on tables.
Reports have said that officials in No 10 have begun to receive fines from the Metropolitan Police in regards to the event.
Downing Street has previously said it would disclose if the Prime Minister received more fines, but has so far remained silent. Reports have a "source" in No 10 claiming Johnson has not yet been given another FPN.
The Met has said it will not be putting out any further updates on the case until after the local elections on May 5.
This is despite the fact that guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council explicitly states: “The importance of policing does not diminish merely because an election is due to be held. The functions associated with policing still must be performed.”
Responding to reports that fines have been issued for the boozy event which Johnson attended, the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald called on the Prime Minister to “come clean”.
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Oswald, the SNP’s deputy leader at Westminster, said: “The scale of law-breaking in Downing Street is staggering.
“There’s a clear pattern that while the public made difficult sacrifices and followed the rules, the Tories partied away without a care.
“With reports that further fines are being issued by the Met Police relating to boozy lockdown parties, Boris Johnson must come clean over whether or not he has also been issued with yet another fine.
“There’s no doubt that Boris Johnson is a serial liar who has misled parliament, deceived voters and wilfully broken the law.
“Tory MPs must finally accept their responsibility to restore public trust by removing the Prime Minister from office.”
Downing Street has been approached for comment.
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