UK PM Johnson and finance minister to be fined for lockdown breaches

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak walk out of Downing Street to meet Michelle Ovens of Small Business Saturday, in London, Britain, December 1, 2021.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak will be fined by police for breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules, the government said on Tuesday.

Police said earlier on Tuesday they would issue at least another 30 fines for people who attended gatherings in Johnson's offices and residence in breach of strict coronavirus lockdown rules, taking the total to more than 50.

"The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notification that the Metropolitan police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices," a government statement said.

"We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do."

Source: Reuters / Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, Editing by Michael Holden and Alistair Smout