British police say they are fining at least 30 more people for breaching coronavirus restrictions at government offices.
The Metropolitan Police said at the end of March that it issued 20 fixed penalty notices over parties held by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff during the UK’s coronavirus lockdowns.
The force says it is “continuing to assess significant amounts of investigative material.” It does not identify the recipients of the fines, though Johnson’s office has said it will reveal if he gets one.
The “partygate” scandal has angered many in Britain and seen dozens of politicians and officials investigated over allegations that the government flouted its own pandemic restrictions.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a press conference following a special meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels,March 24, 2022. (Henry Nicholls/Pool via AP)
Police sent questionnaires to more than 100 people, including the prime minister, and interviewed witnesses as part of the investigation.
Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but he is alleged to have been at several of the dozen events in his 10 Downing St. office and other government buildings that are being investigated by the police.
He has acknowledged attending a “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he believed it would be a work event.
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