Johnson contacted by police over 'Partygate'

LONDON－British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a questionnaire from London's Metropolitan Police as part of the investigation into parties in Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns, his office said on Saturday.

If he is found to have broken his government's own COVID-19 rules, the embattled prime minister could be fined and will face even more pressure to stand down from fellow lawmakers already furious at his proximity to the "Partygate" affair.

A growing number of lawmakers from his party are calling for his ouster, and even former leaders have lined up to warn him against attempting to cling to power if he is found to have broken rules.

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said it would be "very tough" to hang on if the police find that Johnson broke the law, while former prime minister John Major accused Johnson and his government of treating the truth as optional and "shredding" the UK's global reputation.

The prime minister's office confirmed he had been contacted by police.

Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but he is alleged to have been at up to six of the 12 events in his 10 Downing Street office and other government buildings that are being investigated by the police.

He has acknowledged attending a "bring your own booze" party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he believed it would be a work event.

He also allegedly attended a gathering organized by his wife, Carrie, in the official Downing Street residence.

Police have written to about 50 people, including the prime minister's wife, asking them to account for their activities on the dates under investigation.

Johnson has seven days to respond to the questionnaire.

Possible penalty

Police can impose a fine, usually 100 pounds ($136) for what is known as a fixed-penalty notice, if they think COVID-19 regulations have been breached without a reasonable excuse.

Meanwhile, rising living costs in the UK are adding to the pressure on Johnson as hundreds of people protested in London and other UK cities on Saturday.

One of the marches organized by The People's Assembly headed for Downing Street, where they called for Johnson to resign.

With inflation at a 30-year high amid steep rises in the cost of fuel, heating, and basic foodstuffs, protesters waved placards reading "tax the rich", and "save fuel burn a banker".

The main demonstrations attracted about 200-300 people each in London and Glasgow.

The People's Assembly's National Secretary Laura Pidcock tweeted that working-class people "shouldn't have to pay for a crisis they didn't create".

Agencies via Xinhua