Boris Johnson is a “flawed person” who is “worse off” with his party fine, but “has a lot of work to do” as the war rages in Ukraine, Transport Minister Grant Shaps told Sky News.
Prime Minister Chancellor Rishi Sunak has rejected calls for his resignation after being fined for violating COVID-19 rules. More than half of the electorate thinks he should go.
Mr Johnson was fined for attending his birthday party in the government room in June 2020, when the country was under coronavirus restrictions.
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The Prime Minister “should go” after the fines, says Starmer
His wife, Kerry, and his chancellor are also among those who have been or will be fined more than 50 fines so far as a Metro police investigation into 2020 և 2021’s Downing Street և Whitehall parties.
Mr Johnson reportedly attended six of the 12 rallies being investigated, but did not rule out further fines.
Mr Shaps told Sky News’ Kay Berley that he personally understood the public’s “frustration and anger” over the fines as someone who had not been able to see his father in hospital for four months.
But he said the prime minister should be judged “at the stage” on how he does his job in general.
“I am not saying that the Prime Minister is not a flawed person. We are all flawed in different ways, we are all wrong.
“The question is, has anyone done this maliciously? Is he really doing his job well as prime minister?”
“He made a mistake. It was a shame և stupidity, the Prime Minister was saddened by it.
Read more: Partygate. what’s happening now
“But I think there is a lot of work for him to do on behalf of the British people, on behalf of the world, which is fighting this brutal war.”
Baroness Altman, a former Conservative partner and former pension minister, told Sky News that it was “shocking” to see the imposition of fines, that the war and the cost-of-living crisis continued and that “an urgent or immediate response could not be the best course of action” for many. Thor MPs will discuss how their constituents will react.
He added. “I think there is a moral question mark about the wholeness of trust that can be placed in the people above.”
Labor Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Sky News: “Britain deserves better than this Prime Minister and this Chancellor, who lie, lie, lie, can not abide by the rules they say everyone’s so powerful.”
In Westminster, SNP chief Ian Blackford told Sky News that he had “falsely” said that Mr Johnson should remain in power because of the Ukraine war, given that Britain changed prime ministers during World War II.
“This man is a stain on our democracy,” said Mr Blackford.
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, told Sky News: “There were tens of thousands of people who wanted to hold the hand of their dying relative for only five minutes …” they were not allowed.
“That’s why, hearing people who died during COVID were really crucified, angry with the government, they called on the Prime Minister to do something decent and resign.”
Human Rights Defender Adam Wagner estimates that if the Prime Minister’s fines increase, he could pay more than ֆ 10,000.
On Tuesday, Johnson “completely apologized”but when asked if he would leave, he added: “I want to be able to get and hand over the mandate I have, but also to solve the problems that the country has to face right now.”
A YouGov poll found that 57% of voters thought he should resign, while 75% said he deliberately lied, while a Savanta ComRes poll found that 61 % said he should resign.
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Johnson’s immediate future will be decided by his Tory colleagues, who could challenge the leadership if 54 of the party’s 360 lawmakers demand a vote of confidence.
But many senior Tories have rallied around their leader, saying now is not the time to change leadership.
Michael Gove ոն Mr. Shaps was one of the deputies who declared their “full support” to the Prime Minister.
Andrew Bridget, however, said: “This is not the end of the matter.”
There is a question! Sue Gray’s report. A senior civil servant who has gathered evidence from the Met’s investigation has said he will release his report when police complete their work.
Read more: Terce Johnson has withstood the storm so far, but the worst is yet to come.
Mr. Johnson, his wife, Kerry, the Chancellor It is clear that they paid fines reduced by 50 pounds for violating blocking rules, as fixed penalty notifications are resolved within 14 days.
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“His fine should be more severe.”
Mr. Sunak apologized, saying: “I know people have sacrificed a lot during COVID, they will find this situation sad. I’m deeply sorry for the frustration, the anger, the pain.
“As Prime Minister, I’m focused on delivering in this difficult time for the British people.”
Mrs. Johnson’s spokeswoman said: “Although she believed she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Ms. Johnson accepted the Metropolitan Police’s findings and apologized unconditionally.”
