British police will issue fines to those involved in illegal gatherings in the Prime Minister's Office and government departments
Xinhua News Agency, London, March 29 (Reporter Du Juan Xu Feng) The London Police Service said on the 29th that it will issue 20 fines to those involved in gatherings in the Prime Minister's Office and government departments in violation of epidemic prevention regulations during the new crown epidemic.
The Metropolitan Police will hand over 20 "Fixed Penalty Notices" to a Criminal Records Office, which handles police affairs in England and Wales, to process the tickets.
The police refused to disclose the names of those involved, emphasizing that the investigation is still ongoing and the possibility of subsequent fines will not be ruled out.
According to British media reports, 20 fixed penalty notices do not mean that 20 people will be punished, and some people may receive more than one ticket.
Receiving a fixed penalty notice does not equate to a criminal conviction, but if the person fails to pay the fine, they will be summoned to court and even criminally prosecuted.
Around 2020 and 2021, the British police sent formal questionnaires to about 100 staff of the Prime Minister's Office and government departments to find out their participation in illegal gatherings.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also received a questionnaire.
The British Cabinet Office announced on January 31 the preliminary results of a special investigation into the Prime Minister's Office's holding of gatherings during the new crown epidemic. It believes that the Johnson government's many gatherings during the "closed city" period seriously violated epidemic prevention regulations, highlighting "ineffective leadership".
Johnson immediately responded to the investigation report in the lower house of parliament, apologizing for the illegal gathering and expressing his acceptance of the contents of the investigation report.
He promised the government would rectify, but said he would not resign over the matter.