Boris Johnson ally Conor Burns on Prime Minister's Covid fine

Mr Johnson will receive a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) for attending his own birthday party in the Cabinet Room of Number 10 Downing Street during a Covid lockdown.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, are among those told to expect a fine from the Metropolitan Police, with Mrs Johnson’s spokeswoman confirming that her FPN also relates to her husband’s birthday celebration.

• Read more: 'Let’s see if they accept them': Dorset MP on Johnson and Sunak being set for fines

A spokesman for No 10 said: “The Met Police have now explained that the FPN issued to the PM will be in relation to the following incident: “On June 19 2020 at the Cabinet Room, 10 Downing Street, between 1400 and 1500 you participated in a gathering of two or more people indoors.”

The birthday party was reportedly a surprise do for the Prime Minister, organised by his wife and for which the Chancellor was also in the room.

Bournemouth West MP Mr Burns, who is Northern Ireland minister, previously said Mr Johnson was “ambushed by a cake” at the event, at which up to 30 people are said to have gathered and sung Happy Birthday.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns

A post on Mr Burns’s Twitter account said: “The PM has already apologised for the event of 19th June but will understand renewed anger.

“There is a big job to rebuild trust. On the ground in NI the importance of that work cannot be overstated.

“As a Government we must focus on delivery for the people every day led by the PM.”

The PM has already apologised for the event of 19th June but will understand renewed anger. There is a big job to rebuild trust. On the ground in NI the importance of that work cannot be overstated. As a Government we must focus on delivery for the people every day led by the PM

— Conor Burns (@ConorBurnsUK) April 12, 2022

The Daily Echo has contacted Mr Burns for comment.