A former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent believes that Boris Johnson paying his Partygate fine “should really be the end of the matter”.
Mr Johnson was issued with a fixed penalty notice in relation to a gathering of two or more people indoors between 2pm and 3pm in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street on June 19, 2020.
Speaking to Mark Steyn on GB News, Parm Sandhu said there was a difference between a fixed penalty notice and a full criminal conviction.
Ms Sandhu said: “Although he’s got a fine and it is for criminal behaviour, the Prime Minister doesn’t have to disclose that when he is applying for new jobs, should he apply for new jobs.
“It is slightly different, but had he contested it and said I’m not paying it and I want to go to court then it would’ve been a different matter, he would’ve got a proper, full criminal conviction so there is a difference."
Former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent, Parm Sandhu
GB News
And after Mr Johnson confirmed that he had paid the penalty during a video address on Tuesday, Ms Sandhu believes that the case should now be closed.
She added: “In relation to the actual fine, he’s paid it, that should really be the end of the matter.
“But what I would say that the police wouldn’t issue these fines unless the evidence was so strong that they knew they were going to win it at court.
“That is the only reason why they’d issue these fines, knowing they could prove them.”
Boris Johnson apologised for the breach
Kirsty O'Connor
In a video statement, Mr Johnson also offered an apology, but vowed to continue his job as Prime Minister.
The PM Said: "Today I've received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan Police relating to a Downing Street event on 19 June 2020.
"Let me say immediately, I have paid the fine and want to offer a full apology.
"There was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm, lasting less than 10 minutes, during which people I worked with passed on their good wishes.
"At that time it did not occur to me this might have been a breach of the rules.
"The police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation."
He added: "I understand the anger 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.
"I accept in all sincerity that people had the right to expect better."
"I will take forward that task with due humility."
When asked whether he will resign over the incident, Mr Johnson said: “I want to get on and deliver the mandate that I have. That is my priority.”
Mr Johnson's wife, Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were also handed fines relating to the same event.
