Boris Johnson wrong to attend lockdown party, says Grant Shapps

GBNews24 Desk//

Boris Johnson was wrong to attend a party in lockdown but that does not mean he should resign, a minister said.

The prime minister was fined for breaking Covid laws but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he had not acted “with malice or intent”.

Opposition parties have said Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak must quit after being fined on Tuesday, reports BBC.

But cabinet ministers have backed the pair and only one Tory MP has publicly called for Mr Johnson to stand down.

The Metropolitan Police have so far issued more than 50 fines over lockdown-breaking parties in government buildings, with more expected to come.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Shapps said Mr Johnson was “mortified” and “incredibly embarrassed” at having been fined.

The PM, his wife Carrie, and Mr Sunak paid £50 fixed penalty notices for attending a surprise birthday party for Mr Johnson in Downing Street on 19 June 2020 – when social gatherings of more than two people inside were banned by law.

The prime minister can only be removed by a vote of no confidence in Parliament, or by his own MPs organising a leadership contest, neither of which is likely to happen at this stage.

More than 70 Conservative MPs have expressed their support for the PM since he was fined, including some who have previously called for him to go.

Mr Shapps said the prime minister should have left the party, adding: “It was wrong. He’s apologised, he’s accepted responsibility.

“I don’t seek to justify it, but I also know that it wasn’t done with malice or intent – even though it should not have happened.”