Boris Johnson insisted he was getting on with the job of running the country as he faced fresh calls to quit for misleading Parliament over the partygate row.
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police concluded that coronavirus laws were broken following an inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
An initial round of 20 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have been issued as part of Scotland Yard’s investigation into a series of gatherings in 2020 and 2021.
Johnson, who was called to resign at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, said the “investigators must get on with their job” but “we are going to get on with our job”.
iStockSir Keir Starmer accused the PM of misleading the House by denying the allegations of wrongdoing at the parties during England’s coronavirus lockdowns.
Labour leader Sir Keir said: “He told the House no rules were broken in Downing Street during lockdown. The police have now concluded there was widespread criminality.
“The Ministerial Code says that ministers who knowingly mislead the House should resign. Why is he still here?”
Johnson said: “Of course, the Met, the investigators must get on with their job but in the meantime… we are going to get on with our job.
“That meant tackling the cost of living, addressing the UK’s energy supply and improving education.
“That’s what we’re focusing on and I think that’s what the people in this country want us to focus on.”
The exchange comes after 20 fines were issued over alleged lockdown-busting parties held in government buildings.
The Metropolitan Police said investigators will begin to refer the notices to the ACRO Criminal Records Office, which would be responsible for issuing the fines.
It is expected that further fines could be issued as officers continue to go through the evidence gathered.
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