Boris will be outed if fined for breaching Covid rules, Downing Street says

31 January 2022, 18:45 | Updated: 1 February 2022, 16:19

The public will be told if Boris Johnson faces a fine over the Partygate scandal, Downing Street has said.

It comes after it was suggested that the information might not be disclosed, with No10 saying it was a matter for the Metropolitan Police.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman later added: "Obviously we are aware of the significant public interest with regard to the Prime Minister and we would always look to provide what updates we can on him, specifically."

Asked if that meant No10 would say if he was given a fixed penalty notice, the spokesman said: "Hypothetically, yes."

However, the Met previously said that, as it has for all fixed penalty notices issued during the pandemic, it would follow the College of Policing guidance, which states: "Identities of people dealt with by cautions, speeding fines and other fixed penalties – out-of-court disposals – should not be released or confirmed."

It comes after Sue Gray’s damning report on the scandal found "failures of leadership".

The report was scathing in its criticism of the "failure" of leadership at No10 and the Cabinet Office in the Partygate scandal.

Ms Gray's report into 16 events - 12 of which are being investigated by police - hit out at how a number of gatherings during England's Covid restrictions were allowed to develop, which she said should not have been allowed.

She handed a dossier of 300 Partygate photographs and 500 pages of written evidence to Scotland Yard, as detectives continue to probe parties in Whitehall during lockdown.

Boris Johnson is facing a police investigation over at least four lockdown parties he was directly involved in.

One of the parties detectives are investigating is said to have taken place in the Prime Minister's Downing Street flat to mark the departure of Dominic Cummings in November 2020.

It was claimed that Abba music was played at a victory party attended by Mrs Johnson after her husband's former chief adviser had left with his belongings in a box.

The couple insist the party did not take place – a denial the Prime Minister repeated in the Commons yesterday.

But Sue Gray's report listed the event as one which the civil servant said was in the scope of her inquiry. It means the Prime Minister and his wife could face questions from police and the prospect of a fine.

Despite the findings, Mr Johnson has insisted he can be trusted and promised to "fix" Government, indicating he will battle on.

Mr Johnson faced a wall of anger from his own MPs in the House of Commons on Monday after the highly-anticipated report by Sue Gray was released.

He arrived on Monday to a meeting with Conservative backbenchers to muted cheers after his Commons appearance. Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab turned up with him - both have been tipped to replace the beleaguered PM if he were to quit.

Read more: Boris says sorry as Partygate report slams No10's 'failures of leadership'

Read more: Read it in full: Sue Gray's much-anticipated Partygate report

Nadine Dorries reacts to Sue Gray report

Criticism came from across the House, including from former Prime Minister Theresa May who asked whether Mr Johnson either did not "read the rules", understand them, or "didn't think the rules applied to No10".

The backlash continued on Tuesday, with Tory MP Peter Aldous confirming that he had submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM.

"After a great deal of soul-searching, I have reached the conclusion that the Prime Minister should resign," he said.

"It is clear that he has no intention of doing so and I have therefore written to the chairman of the 1922 Committee of Backbench Conservative MPs, advising him that I have no confidence in the Prime Minister as leader of the Conservative Party.

"I have never taken such action before and had hoped that I would not be put in such an invidious position.

"Whilst I am conscious that others will disagree with me, I believe that this is in the best interests of the country, the Government and the Conservative Party."

Meanwhile, former chief whip Andrew Mitchell said on Monday that the Prime Minister no longer has his support.

Angela Richardson, a Tory aide, announced she had quit her role as Michael Gove's ministerial aide as she wrote of her "deep disappointment" over the Partygate saga.

The Guildford MP wrote: "Sue Gray's report published today clearly states that there were failings at Number Ten Downing Street that let us all down.

"I share the deep disappointment that it has taken so long to get to this stage when there could have been an early acknowledgement and apology."

Earlier, Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, tweeted: "If the PM fails to publish the report in full then he will no longer have my support."

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis, who has been outspoken in calling for the PM to resign, reiterated that he will consider submitting a letter of no confidence if Mr Johnson does not resign over the Partygate saga.

Speaking to Iain Dale he said if Mr Johnson resigned it would be the "best thing for the country".

Mr David warned there are "months of agony" ahead if no resolution is found.

Read more: Met Police given more than 300 photos in Partygate investigation

Read more: Boris' birthday bash and Cummings' exit celebrations among parties probed by police

Andrew Mitchell withdraws support for Prime Minister

But it seemed Tory MPs were much more impressed by Boris Johnson’s appearance at the 1922 Committee than his statement in the Commons.

The change in mood came as No 10 confirmed the PM would ask Ms Gray to produce a second report after the police investigation concludes, and committed to publishing it.

The U-turn and promises to shake up how No 10 and the Cabinet Office are run appeared to have calmed tensions, at least for the time being.

Peterborough MP Paul Bristow acknowledged it had been a "difficult day" but said there was support for Boris Johnson.

Mr Bristow said he left "absolutely pumped" and added that nobody in the meeting had called for Mr Johnson to go.

Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said the "mood was positive" among Conservatives following the meeting on Monday evening.

Read more: Ian Blackford thrown out of Commons after refusing to retract claim PM 'misled Parliament'

Ian Blackford kicked out of the Commons

He said: "We've got to remember how well the Prime Minister has done in the general run of being Prime Minister."

Mr Rees-Mogg said Boris Johnson had a "determination to put things right" and added that "you can't ignore a majority of 80".

He added: "So many people voted personally for Boris Johnson rather than voting for political parties.

"Politicians have to accept that our bosses are the British people, and they voted for that, they put him in office."

Ms Gray's full report and the result of the police probe could yet threaten his premiership again, and Mr Johnson's former chief aide Dominic cummings is due to take questions on the report online on Tuesday which could provide more damaging details.

Ms Gray's update was heavily stripped down after the Met began its own probe into events on eight days, which it announced last week. Officers asked Ms Gray to make "minimal reference" to their probe.

Police said they are investigating eight days of events which took place when England was either in a lockdown or some form of Covid restrictions.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Johnson said he would do three things in the wake of the report. This will include changes to how No10 is run, a review of Civil Service codes of conduct, and additional measures for how Downing Street and the Cabinet Office work.