Boris Johnson has issued another apology over partygate, expressing regret over being fined for a breach of his own lockdown rules by attending an illegal gathering in Downing Street.
The Prime Minister told the Commons that he repeated his apology to the Commons "in all humility".
He said: "I paid the fine immediately, and I offered the British people a full apology - and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House.
“As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and the anger - and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister. And I repeat that, Mr Speaker, again in the House.”
Johnson continued: “Now let me also say not my way of mitigation or excuse, but purely purely because it explains my previous words in this House that he did not occur to me then or subsequently on the day that a gathering in the Cabinet Room, just before a vital meeting on covid strategy. could amount to a breach of the rules.”
Bt the PM also said in the government statement that it was time to move on to the cost of living crisis and the Ukraine war in an attempt to basket all the current issues in one.
But as well as facing intense questioning by MPs Johnson has to go through Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
He then has to endure a debate and vote on Thursday in which Labour will attempt to refer him to the Commons Privileges Committee over accusations that he misled the House with claims that all rules were abided by in Downing Street.
But by then the Prime Minister could be on plane to India, leading a trade visit to the country, confident that Tory MPs left behind at Westminster will vote against the Labour motion.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
This is a breaking news story - we’ll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as it happens.
Follow the politics team on Twitter @Record_Politics and the official Daily Record account @Daily_Record - real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you
