Boris Johnson faces a battle for his political survival after it was confirmed today that he will be fined by police for breaking lockdown rules in 2020 alongside his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
The bombshell revelation was announced by the official 10 Downing Street spokeswoman and immediately led to calls for the Prime Minister to resign.
"The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices," the spokeswoman said.
"We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do."
Police had previously opted not to name those facing fines but Downing Street said it would confirm if Johnson was among those being penalised.
Scotland Yard said on Tuesday that it had made at least 50 referrals for fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) - up from 20 at the end of March - to ACRO Criminal Records Office, which is responsible for issuing the fines.
Johnson is understood to have been present at six of the at least 12 events being investigated.
Reacting to the news Labour leader Keir Starmer has called on both to resign.
He tweeted: "Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public.
"They must both resign. The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better."
The Prime Minister told MPs in December - after allegations about parties in Downing Street first emerged - that “all guidance was followed completely in No 10”.
But since the police probe commenced the PM has looked to deflect from answering questions until the inquiry has concluded and has poured his efforts into dealing with the Ukraine crisis.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also joined the chorus of critics urging Johnson to resign.
The SNP leader said: "He broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it.
"The basic values of integrity and decency - essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy - demand that he go."
The Chancellor - who was in the Cabinet Room at No 10 for Mr Johnson’s birthday on June 19, 2020 when up to 30 people are said to have gathered with a cake - had initially dismissed suggestions that he would have to fill out a police questionnaire.
Bereaved families have said there was "simply no way" the Prime Minister and Chancellor can continue in post, after the pair were told they will be fined as part of a police probe into allegations of lockdown parties held at Downing Street.
Lobby Akinnola, spokesman for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak "broke the law" and "took us all for mugs".
He said: "There is simply no way either the Prime Minister or Chancellor can continue.
"Their dishonesty has caused untold hurt to the bereaved.
"Not only that, but they have lost all credibility with the wider public, which could cost lives if new variants mean restrictions are needed in the future.
"If they had any decency they would be gone by tonight."
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