50 more Downing Street Covid rule-breaking party fines issued

The Metropolitan Police have issued more than 50 new fines for breaches of Covid rules in Downing Street and other other government buildings.

The Fixed Penalty Notices come in addition to more than 50 handed out last month, including to Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The identities of those fined this time are not yet known.

No 10 has promised to reveal any further penalties imposed on the prime minister over parties.

The Met has been investigating 12 gatherings, at least three of which Mr Johnson is known to have attended.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray and the House of Commons privileges committee are also running inquiries.

Opposition parties have called for Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak to resign, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also come under pressure after he was filmed drinking beer in an MP's office during coronavirus restrictions in April last year.

Durham police launched an investigation last week and Sir Keir - who denies any rule-breaking - has said he will resign if he is found to have been in breach of regulations in place at the time.

Last month, Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Mr Sunak each paid fines of £50 over a surprise birthday party for the PM that took place in Downing Street's Cabinet Room in June 2020.