COLCHESTER’S MP has conceded Covid-restriction busting parties held across Downing Street and Whitehall “shouldn’t have happened”.

His comments came as Westminster was braced for the first wave of fines in the so-called Partygate saga.

The first fixed penalty notices were due to be issued yesterday following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into 12 events, including as many as six Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to have attended.

Detectives investigating gatherings revealed last week they had begun interviewing key witnesses.

Will Quince has refrained from comment, but speaking to Sky News he said: “I understand the huge public interest.

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“I completely understand the considerable upset caused - the events that took place shouldn’t have happened.

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“But I hope you’ll understand both as an Education Minister, but more importantly, as there’s an ongoing live Metropolitan Police investigation, it’s just not appropriate I comment.”

Mr Quince added Boris Johnson has committed to publish the full report conducted by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the scandal “as soon as the Metropolitan Police has concluded its investigation”.

He added questions over whether the Prime Minister should resign if fined were “hypothetical”.

Speaking on LBC, he said he did think the Partygate saga was a “serious issue” and said: “You’ll have noticed there have been considerable changes at Downing Street.”

The Met said it would not provide a “running commentary” on fines being issued.

Gazette:

The gatherings under investigation include a “bring your own booze” event, details of which were emailed to staff at No 10 by the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds in May 2020, and a surprise get-together for Mr Johnson’s birthday in June 2020.

Mr Johnson previously admitted he was at the former for 25 minutes – claiming he believed it was a work event – while Downing Street said staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room to mark the Prime Minister’s 56th birthday.

In January, civil servant Ms Gray published a report into the saga, which said there were “failures of leadership and judgment” in parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office.