Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are to be issued fines by the Met for breaking their own rules during lockdown, it has been announced today.
Both ministers have been told to resign today, with Boris Johnson facing calls to recall parliament for a vote of no confidence.
It has also been revealed that Carrie Johnson, the PM's wife, will also receive a police fine for breaking the government's lockdown rules.
At present, it is not clear which particular parties the fines have been given out for as, when asked, a no.10 spokesperson refused to provide any details.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police launched an official investigation back in January into 12 events where restrictions may have been breached, with a total of more than 50 fines having been handed out so far, reports The Manc.
Police issued the first 20 fines on 1 April to people who attended a leaving party for a Number 10 official on 18 June 2020 in the Cabinet Office building at 70 Whitehall, and then some of those fines were also handed out to people who attended two events on 16 April 2021, which shocked the nation as it was the day before Prince Philip’s funeral.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are to receive fines for attending parties during lockdown / Credit: Flickr
At the time the investigation was launched, the Met said they would “police without fear or favour”, and provide updates “at significant points” in its inquiry, but said they would not be naming those who received the fines.
The government promised to reveal if Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak were among them, however.
After the news broke this afternoon, leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has spoken out in response to the fines in a statement on Twitter, calling for both the Prime Minister and Rishi Sunak to resign.
“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.”
Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, has also called for Parliament – which is currently on its Easter recess – to be recalled to hold a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister, as “no other leader in any other organisation would be allowed to continue after law-breaking on this scale.”
“This is a government in crisis neglecting a country in crisis,” he added on Twitter.
Featured image – Parliament.TV
UK News
Met Office reports on how long the heatwave will last as yesterday was hottest May day on record
The Met Office has given us an idea of how long this current heatwave may last.
It comes after a new UK temperature record was broken yesterday, as it reached 34.8°C at the weather station in Kew Gardens – with the figure being both the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in meteorological spring (March, April, and May), as well as the highest temperature in May all together.
The previous record of 32.8°C was reached in 1922 and 1944.
If confirmed and validated, and May sees a new official daily temperature record, it would mean that more than half of the monthly record highs – seven out of 12 – have been set since 2003.
But what exactly is considered to be a heatwave? Well, heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, and providing the public with an indication of how long these temperatures could last, Met Office weather forecasters say the start of the week will see the heatwave continue for much of England and Wales with temperatures ‘well above average’, and today (Tuesday 26) expected to be another ‘very hot day’ with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning.
The heat will then continue through the week, with highs of 31°C forecast for Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday, and 28°C on Saturday.
“We’ve now provisionally broken the spring and May temperature record,” commented Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist, Dan Suri.
“Meteorologically, what we’ve seen is the influence of warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK allowing exceptional heat to build allowing maximum and minimum temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.
“Further heat is in the forecast for much of England and Wales, with similar temperatures forecast for Tuesday.
“High pressure is forecast to gradually lose its influence later in the week, though maximum temperatures will still remain high and in the low 30°Cs for some mid-week and high 20°Cs late this week.”
Government to slash prices of bus travel, cinema tickets and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer
Emily Sergeant
Cinema tickets, trips to the theatre and the zoo, and children’s meals out are all set to be cheaper than ever this summer.
That’s because the Government has announced its newest initiative, Great British Summer Savings, which means that from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Children’s meals served in restaurants, children’s and family tickets for the cinema, theatre, exhibitions, shows, and concerts, and admission tickets – for both children and adults – to a wide range of different attractions will be eligible for the discount.
Whether you want to visit an amusement park, fairs, circuses, museums, zoos, adventure parks, soft play centre, or something similar this summer, it just got a whole lot cheaper.
This aim of this initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.
The Government says it will work with eligible businesses to get the scheme ‘up and running’.
The Government is slashing the prices of cinema tickets, bus travel, and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer / Credit: Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash) | Supplied
And to make it even better, this is a UK-wide initiative, so no matter where you are in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the reduced rate will apply.
Going one step further, there will also be free bus travel for children aged between five and 15 in England in August, helping to support families getting out and about this summer.
The Government says the Great British Summer Savings initiative supports the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including cutting energy bills, freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
Businesses will be able to apply the 5% rate of VAT on eligible sales between 25 June and 1 September 2026.
Georgina Pellant -
12th April 2022 
