Downing Street parties: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak won't resign over lockdown fines

Image source, No 10

Image caption, Both the prime minister and chancellor have rejected calls from opposition politicians to leave Downing Street

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have apologised after being fined by police for breaking lockdown rules in Downing Street.

The prime minister, his wife and the chancellor all received fixed penalty notices for attending a birthday gathering in June 2020 for Mr Johnson in No 10, which is where he lives and works.

As a result, Mr Johnson became the UK's first serving prime minister to be punished for breaking the law.

However, the PM and Mr Sunak both said they would not quit their jobs.

Video caption, 大象传媒 reporter Jonathan Blake explains what's happening with Boris Johnson and lockdown party fines.

Mr Johnson said he felt an even bigger need "to deliver on the priorities of the British people", while the chancellor said he was "focused on delivering for the British people".

But families of people who died during the coronavirus pandemic said there was "simply no way either the prime minister or chancellor can continue" in their jobs, calling their actions "truly shameless".

How have people reacted to the fines?

Video caption, WATCH: The story of the government's lockdown parties (Jan 2022)

The fines come as part of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into illegal parties held in Downing Street and other government buildings during Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the first ministers of Scotland and Wales all called for Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak to now leave their jobs.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign."

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Police will issue fines to the PM and chancellor for going to a birthday gathering at 10 Downing Street

The Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats also led calls for the UK Parliament to return from its Easter break so the PM and chancellor could face questions from Members of Parliament (MPs).

But a number of senior government ministers showed support for Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak - including Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said they were "delivering for Britain on many fronts".

How many fines have been given so far?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are the two most powerful politicians in the UK

Police issued at least 30 more fines for government parties that broke Covid lockdown rules on Tuesday.

This is the second set of fines police have announced as part of their ongoing investigation.

The first came on 29 March, when police announced they had sent out 20 fines - also called fixed-penalty notices.

The Metropolitan Police are not providing details of who will be sent a fine or about the events they relate to.

Mr Johnson had already ordered a report into what happened but when it was about to be published in full - details were held back so the police could investigate if any crimes had happened.

How do the fines work?

Video caption, WATCH: Report into Downing Street lockdown parties blames 'leadership failings'

Those who receive fines can either pay within 28 days or argue against the police decision.

If they fight the fine, police will look at the case again and then either withdraw the penalty or take the issue to court.

In a statement, the police said they were "making every effort to progress this investigation at speed", with the possibility of more fines to come.