UK PM Boris Johnson Apologises To MPs In Parliament For Breaking Covid Rules

Johnson's apology came ahead of the crucial House of Commons vote scheduled this week on whether he should be referred for an investigation over his partygate statements to Parliament. 

United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson. (File Photo/Getty)

New Delhi: Days after being fined for allegedly breaching United Kingdom's Covid norms, Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday issued an 'wholehearted' apology in Britain Parliament for for attending illegal party during lockdown, news agency AFP reported. 

While making the apology, Johnson said British public "had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister".

While addressing the Paliament, he reiterated that he did not think he had done anything wrong at the time. "That was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly," he said.

Johnson's apology came ahead of the crucial House of Commons vote scheduled this week on whether he should be referred for an investigation over his partygate statements to Parliament. 

Last week, Johnson became the first British Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law when he, along with his wife Carrie and Indian-origin UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was fined for attending a birthday event for him in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street in June 2020.

The trio were issued fixed penalty notices by Scotland Yard as part of the police force's ongoing partygate investigation, which means a fine must be paid within 28 days unless contested in court.

All three immediately paid up their fines and apologised in the wake of the notices.

The fines on Johnson, Sunak and Carrie were confirmed by government officials, who did not specify which event or events the penalties are linked to. However, several media reports claimed that the three were at a gathering for the Prime Minister's birthday in June 2020.

Though there has been a massive uproar by Opposition parties over incident as they have demanded Johnson and Sunak resign over the fines. "Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must resign," Opposition Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer had said.

However, duo's party colleagues have stood by them with only a handful of leaders of Conservative party voicing their criticism. With support by his party leaders, both Johnson and Sunak are most like to win the parliamentary vote.

Meanwhile, Johnson is scheduled to visit India, his maiden visit, on April 21. During the two-day meet, the British Prime Minister will first land in Ahmedabad on April 21 and then proceed to Delhi. During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UK PM are likely to discuss trade, defence and the Ukraine crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)