BORIS Johnson last night apologised for breaking his own lockdown rules — but vowed to focus on Ukraine and the energy crisis.
Mr Johnson, wife Carrie and Rishi Sunak were fined over a nine-minute celebration for the PM’s birthday in June 2020.
As critics slammed overbearing Met cops, the Chancellor also apologised after a seven-hour “wobble”.
Boris Johnson vowed to fight on after yesterday’s humiliating Partygate fine — saying he felt “an even greater sense of obligation” to deliver on his promises to families.
The PM admitted he “fell short” by breaking his own lockdown rules to celebrate his 56th birthday with staff at No10 on June 19, 2020.
He said Brits who did observe the ban on gatherings “had a right to expect better”. But he insisted it did not occur that it might have been against the rules at that time.
Read More on Boris Johnson
The PM’s wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were also hit with the £100 fine.
Mr Sunak also apologised last night — after a seven-hour silence — and is understood to have been talked out of quitting by friends after a “bit of wobble”.
Despite Mr Johnson being under intense pressure for months over Partygate, no Tory MP was yesterday calling for him to go.
In a sheepish telly statement, the PM said he did not realise the nine-minute lunchtime gathering broke the rules — but accepted the Met Police’s finding.
The penalty is understood to have been £50 if settled in 14 days. Boris said: “I’ve paid the fine and I once again offer a full apology.” But he argued: “I have to say, in all frankness, at that time, it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach.
“But of course the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation.”
As Cabinet colleagues rallied around the PM, he sought to quell a tide of public anger that the rules imposed on Britain were not obeyed at the heart of power.
At the time the country was in the first lockdown with gatherings of more than two indoors against the law.
‘Fell short’
The PM said: “I understand the anger that many will feel, that I myself fell short when it came to observing the very rules which the government I lead, had introduced to protect the public,” he said.
“And I accept in all sincerity, that people have the right to expect better.” But he insisted now would not be the time to quit as he faces up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.
The PM said: “Now I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, strengthening our economy, creating jobs and opportunities, levelling up across the whole of the United Kingdom and now, of course, ensuring Putin fails in Ukraine and easing the burden on hard-working families caused by higher energy prices.
“I will take forward that task with due humility, but with maximum determination to fulfil my duty and do what is best for the country I serve,” he argued.
Explaining his actions, the PM added: “In a spirit of openness and humility, I want to be completely clear about what happened on that date.
“My day began shortly after 7am and I chaired eight meetings in No10, including the Cabinet committee deciding Covid strategy. I visited a school in Hemel Hempstead, which took me out of Downing Street for over four hours.
“Amongst all these engagements, on the day that happened to be my birthday, there was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm, lasting for less than ten minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes.”
Downing Street sources insisted that the PM had more than 30 meetings that day, with the brief lunchtime celebrations.
Both the Chancellor and Carrie Johnson were also at the brief Cabinet room bash, where aides provided M&S sausage rolls and a salad their boss.
Speaking from his Chequers retreat yesterday, Mr Johnson also sought to explain previous comments to the Commons that no rules were broken.
He told reporters: “When I said that I spoke in completely good faith because at the time that I was standing up for nine minutes in the Cabinet Room where I work every day, it didn’t occur to me that, as I say, that I was in breach of the rules. I now humbly accept that I was.”
Cabinet colleagues said Mr Sunak had “wobbled” after a torrid week of scandal involving his tax affairs. He went to ground all afternoon but said later: “I offer an unreserved apology.
‘I am sorry’
“I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.
And hinting he would not resign, he said: ”Like the Prime Minister, I am focused on delivering for the people at this challenging time.”
A spokesman for the PM’s wife Carrie confirmed she had paid her fine and “accepts the police’s findings and apologises unreservedly.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on both men to go. Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, said the police’s decision marked the “first time in the history of our country that a prime minister has been found to be in breach of the law”.
Speaking in Preston, he accused Mr Johnson of repeatedly lying about what happened.
Sir Keir also argued that the PM and Mr Sunak had “dishonoured” the sacrifices made by people who did follow the rules.
He added: “The British public made the most unimaginable, heart-wrenching sacrifices, and many were overcome by guilt. But the guilty men are the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. Britain deserves better. They have to go.”
Tories came out in support of the PM after an initial silence.
Party chairman Oliver Dowden tweeted: “The Prime Minister has provided a full explanation and apology for what happened. At a time when we face an energy crisis and conflict in Ukraine, I’m fully behind him in getting on with the job.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added the “PM has apologised, accepted responsibility & reformed No10.”
Top Tory ally Nadine Dorries played down the birthday bash as a “brief gathering in the Cabinet Room” and said the “PM is at his best when delivering on the priorities of the British people which he will continue to do.”
Scottish Conservatives’ boss Alister Jack said the PM “remains the right person to lead this country at such a crucial time”.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove added: “The PM and Chancellor deserve our full support. They made the right calls on the big issues and I’ve seen them work tirelessly for this country.
Sir Jonathan Jones QC, a former Government top lawyer, said receiving a fixed penalty notice “isn’t a criminal conviction”. He added: “Nor is paying the penalty. That means you’ve chosen to pay rather than risk a criminal prosecution.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor are delivering for Britain on many fronts including on the international security crisis we face. They have my 100 per cent backing.” Downing Street had fessed up to the fines hours after Scotland Yard confirmed it has handed out more than 30 new Partygate sanctions to No10 staff.
Read More on Trending In The News
The Met Police said the number of fixed penalty notices issued has risen from 20 to more than 50. It comes with officers continuing their investigation into a dozen gatherings held during the two Covid lockdowns.
Last month police dished out the first 20 fines to staff who attended an event in the Cabinet Office on June 18, 2020.
