Boris Johnson’s Partygate fine is more serious than a speeding ticket, Tory chair admits
The IndependentSign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Conservative party chair has admitted that Boris Johnson’s fine for attending an illegal party is more serious than a speeding ticket – after a cabinet minister suggested the offences were similar. Asked if it was right to compare breaching Covid rules to a speeding offence, Mr Dowden replied: “It is not a comparison I would make.” “I take these allegations very seriously – and I don’t underestimate for a moment how angry and hurt people feel about it.” The crisis engulfing Mr Johnson has deepened after he failed to block a Commons inquiry into whether he lied to MPs, when he wrongly told them no Covid rules were broken. Mr Johnson is widely expected to face further police punishment for illegal gatherings, but Mr Dowden said: “I think it is quite a speculation to assume there will be more fines issued.” He also said he did not think a no confidence vote in the prime minister was now inevitable and argued it would cause “instability” to change the nation’s leader. “This is a totally ludicrous story that I don’t recognise in any way at all,” the party chair told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.