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Partygate Fines: First £50 Penalties Handed Out Over Lockdown Party Investigation

Credit: Sky News.

The first fines have been issued to people in government for breaking COVID rules at the height of lockdown.

Officials are understood to have received fines thought to be in connection with an event in the Cabinet Office on 18 June 2020.

The fines, worth £50, have been sent to individuals by email. The names of those involved have not been disclosed but Downing Street sources have told Sky News Boris Johnson is not among them.

The event in June 2020 is understood to have been a leaving party for a Number 10 official and was held in the Cabinet Office building at 70 Whitehall.

The decision to issue fines in connection with one of the lower profile events is significant.

Downing Street is refusing to say that the issuing of fines represents proof of criminality — which has been taken in parts of Whitehall as a sign Mr Johnson would appeal if he was personally fined.

Two cabinet ministers — Justice Secretary Dominic Raab and International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan — have conceded that the penalties meant laws were broken.

The Met's investigation covers 12 gatherings in 2020 and 2021.

Boris Johnson was one of 100 individuals who were sent formal legal questionnaires related to the investigation, as was Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Downing Street has said it will confirm if Mr Johnson, Mr Sunak or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are issued with a fine following the probe.

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