Johnson ‘not out of the woods yet' as Partygate day of judgment looms

‘Ukraine has bought Mr Johnson time’

- David Maddox

SENIOR figures in Downing Street are braced to receive fines this week for breaking lockdown rules in the “Partygate” scandal.

A Downing Street source confirmed the 20 fines last week were largely for junior staff, with senior figures set to receive penalties this week.

There has been speculation fines could be given to the Prime Minister, his wife Carrie and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case. The source said the “pressure will be on then” for people to be sacked or resign.

It comes as senior MPs warned Boris Johnson that disastrous results in May’s local elections could trigger another attempt to oust him.

While the PM has been applauded for his leadership over Ukraine, and the war “has bought him time”, many MPs are still concerned about the political fallout from Partygate.

There is also anger over a failure to properly tackle the cost of living

crisis, as energy bills rose last week alongside a National Insurance hike.