UK Prime Minister and Finance Minister to be Fined for Lockdown Breaches

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak walk out of Downing Street to meet Michelle Ovens of Small Business Saturday, in London, Britain, December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls.

LONDON, April 12 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will be fined by police for breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules, the government said on Tuesday.

Police have been investigating 12 gatherings at Downing Street and the Cabinet Office after an internal inquiry found Johnson’s staff had enjoyed alcohol-fuelled parties, with the British leader attending a few of the events himself.

UK Police have said they would issue at least another 30 fines for people who attended gatherings in Johnson’s offices and residence in breach of strict coronavirus lockdown rules, taking the total to more than 50.

“The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices,” a government statement said.

“We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do,” the statement concluded.

Opponents have urged the prime minister to resign over the issue.