Boris Johnson failed to mention his Partygate fine at Cabinet today in the first meeting of his top team since he was hit with a penalty for breaking his own lockdown laws.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister did not raise the issue with senior Tories, with the session focusing on Ukraine, efforts to get civil servants back in the office and his upcoming trip to India.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman also refused to say explicitly that Mr Johnson had broken the law - despite the PM paying a £50 fine for breaking the law.
Mr Johnson will apologise to MPs later for attending a surprise birthday gathering in Downing Street on 19 June 2020 in an explosive Commons showdown.
But he is expected to wriggle out of further censure by trying to convince his critics there are bigger issues to focus on, such as Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.
The PM, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were all fined over the event, where staff were said to have joined in a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' and enjoyed some cake.
The bombshell news sparked alarm in Downing Street, as the event was believed to be among the less serious gatherings being probed by Scotland Yard.
Mr Johnson is believed to have attended five other parties being investigated by police - which means he could face more fines.
Asked if the issue of the PM's fine was raised at Cabinet, the PM's official spokesman said: "No."
Top Tories are scrambling to help the PM weather the political storm over his Partygate penalty, which has made him the first sitting Prime Minister to be fined for breaking the law.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis tried to liken Mr Johnson's fine for breaking Covid laws to speeding ticket - but then frantically U-turned amid widespread outrage.
Asked if Mr Johnson agreed it was like a parking or speeding penalty, the spokesman said: "On this issue, you know the PM will be making a statement to the House.
"I think it's right that Parliament hear from him first rather than from me.
"You will have seen he's talked about understanding the strength of feeling about this issue which is why he has apologised and fully respects the outcome of the police investigation."
The spokesman said the PM accepted he "fell short" of what the public would expect - but repeatedly refused to say that he had broken the law.
Downing Street has continued to insist that it is constrained by the ongoing police investigation into Partygate in terms of what it can say about Mr Johnson's involvement in the saga.
