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Raab Sidesteps Questions on Johnson's Resignation Amid Partygate Fines

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Dominic Raab, the UK's Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, refused to comment on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson should resign if he receives another fixed penalty notice for lockdown-busting Downing Street parties. The Metropolitan Police issued around 50 new fines for breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street and other government buildings on Thursday. This development comes as Scotland Yard investigates 12 gatherings, including three attended by Johnson, as part of the Operation Hillman probe.

Key Takeaways:

  • Justice Secretary Dominic Raab declined to comment on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson should resign if he receives another fixed penalty notice for lockdown-busting parties.
  • The Metropolitan Police issued around 50 new fines for breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street and other government buildings on Thursday.
  • Scotland Yard is investigating 12 gatherings, including three attended by Johnson, as part of the Operation Hillman probe.
  • Raab stated that it's "not a wise thing for a justice secretary to do" to comment on the potential resignation of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer if he is fined over an incident in Durham.
  • Downing Street claims Prime Minister Johnson has not received a second fine, despite a reported second wave of partygate fines.
  • A tranche of over 50 fixed penalty notices were also handed out last month, including to Johnson, his wife Carrie, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Statistics:

  • 50 new fines were issued by the Metropolitan Police for breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street and other government buildings.
  • 12 gatherings are being investigated by Scotland Yard as part of Operation Hillman.
  • 3 gatherings attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson are part of the Operation Hillman probe.
  • 50 fixed penalty notices were handed out last month, including to Johnson, his wife Carrie, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Sources:

  • "Justice Secretary: PM Johnson's£40 fine 'should be matter for him to decide'" by the PA news agency
  • "Police issue 50 new fines for lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street" by the Guardian
  • "Downing Street denies second fine for Boris Johnson in partygate scandal" by the BBC
  • "Operation Hillman: Met Police investigate 12 gatherings" by the London Evening Standard

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