Partygate may prove to be scandal that will not go away for Boris Johnson

Behind closed doors, there are many Tory MPs who still believe that this will be the tipping point of Boris Johnson’s premiership. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

It was an electrifying development that has given renewed hope to some Tory rebels hoping to oust the prime minister.

After all the bluff and bluster from Boris Johnson, the Metropolitan police announcement of 20 fixed-penalty notices for people over Downing Street parties is concrete confirmation that the authorities believe the rules were broken during lockdown.