TWEEDDALE’S MSP has called on Boris Johnson to resign after the Prime Minister was fined for breaking lockdown rules.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the PM’s wife, Carrie, have also received fixed penalty notices for attending a Downing Street birthday gathering for Mr Johnson in June 2020.

Calling Mr Johnson’s position “untenable”, Christine Grahame – MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale – said that the PM has taken “the people of the Borders for fools”.

The SNP member said: “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak must now resign.

“The Prime Minister repeatedly misled parliament, lied and took the people of the Borders for fools – sometimes laughing about breaching the same laws we were all following to keep our family safe.

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“In reality, Johnson and Sunak have overseen one of the biggest lockdown breaches that has led to the Metropolitan Police issuing a staggering number of fines for rule-breaking.

“The Prime Minister and chancellor’s positions are untenable. They have insulted people in Borders who faithfully followed the rules that they set – even when that meant the heartbreak of not being present for the births, marriages or the deaths of loved ones.

“There simply cannot be one rule for the Tories and another for the rest of us.

“If Johnson and Sunak have a shred of dignity they will finally do the right thing and resign now.”

'Now would not be the right time'

Despite the fine, Conservative MP John Lamont said that now is “not the right time” for the PM to step down.

The Borders representative said that Mr Johnson should remain in his role due to the conflict in Ukraine.

“My anger about these events at Downing Street during the lockdown is well known,” said Mr Lamont, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. “I do not understand who could have organised or attended such events and think it was compliant with the rules.

“It is completely unacceptable that these went ahead.

“The police have now confirmed that the rules were breached and issued penalty notices. No one should be above the law.

“However, at a time when Ukraine is facing aggression and acts of evil at the hands of Putin’s regime, now would not be the right time to remove the Prime Minister. The UK and the rest of the world should all be united in our efforts to support Ukraine, and defeat Putin.”

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When asked whether Mr Johnson should resign, the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale representative said: “I remain of the view that this has been an extremely regrettable episode, which will understandably have angered many people across the country, myself included, who for months diligently followed the COVID regulations put in place.

“The issuing of fines to individuals found to have been in breach of COVID regulations, including the Prime Minister and chancellor, is entirely appropriate and ensures that everyone is treated equally before the law and is subject to the same legal processes.

“I do however believe it is important that both the Prime Minister and chancellor account for their actions in person and before parliament at the earliest opportunity.”