Johnson set to give statement to parliament

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to appear before parliament for the first time since being fined by police for breaking his own government’s lockdown rules.

Johnson will make a statement in the House of Commons later today, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

Johnson is expected to apologise to the House of Commons after being handed a fixed penalty notice for attending a birthday party at Downing Street in June 2020. Johnson could also face further fines for attending other gatherings at his Downing Street home.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has insisted the Prime Minister should not resign over the lockdown parties, due to the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at the Tories’ local election campaign launch in Edinburgh last week, Ross said: “I think instability with the change of a leader right now would be the worst possible thing in terms of our efforts against the Russian aggression, and that would be the best possible thing for Vladimir Putin.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also found herself answering questions from the police due to coronavirus rules.

Police Scotland said it has had to remind Sturgeon “of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so”, after the First Minister was filmed entering a barber shop with no mask on.

Sturgeon said she had been invited indoors whilst campaigning in East Kilbride on Saturday and "after a few seconds of being in the shop" she realised she had forgotten to put her mask on, after which she "immediately" did so.