Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to be fined over lockdown parties

So far, more than 50 fines have been handed out.

A spokeswoman for the Covid Bereaved Families, Lobby Akinnola, said it was “unbelievably painful” to know such senior members of government attended parties while they were unable to be with their dying loved ones.

He added: “The fact that the prime minister and his chancellor then lied about it, and would have continued to do so if the police hadn’t intervened, is truly shameless.

“They broke the law. But even worse, they took us all for mugs.”

Labour’s Sir Keir said the fines for the PM and chancellor showed the Conservatives were “totally unfit to govern”, adding: “Britain deserves better.

“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign.”

The Green Party echoed the call, with co-leader Adrian Ramsay saying the fines were “a damning indictment of the reckless culture of a Conservative Party and prime minister that consider themselves untouchable”.

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for Parliament – which is currently on its Easter recess – to be recalled to hold a no confidence vote in the prime minister.

Reports of parties being held in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 first emerged in December last year.

Mr Johnson initially insisted that “guidelines were followed at all times”.

But as more and more gatherings were revealed, he faced further questions about his involvement.

The PM later apologised for attending a drinks party in the Downing Street garden, but told Parliament he believed he had been attending a work event. (BBC)

PHOTO:REUTERS/BBC