The most damaging development in the scandal dubbed "partygate" was when Boris Johnson and the Chancellor of the Exchequer were told they would be fined for attending gatherings that broke the rules.

The Metropolitan Police informed Britain's two most powerful politicians that they would be fined. It didn't have any further details.

The police decided that Johnson and Sunak broke the rules they set for the public to follow during the Pandemic. While ordinary Britons were not allowed to socialize, the premier and his aides and finance minister were.

Keir Starmer said the fines were a sign that the two men had lied to the British public.

Boris Johnson was affected by the resignation of London's top police chief.

The question is whether the fines will prompt Johnson to resign from the Conservative Party. The allegations brought the premier to the brink.

Johnson called on the MPs to hold fire until the police finished their investigation. Russia invaded Ukraine and Johnson's personal ratings have started to recover, taking the sting out of partygate.

The force has been looking into a dozen gatherings in government buildings, including one in the garden of Number 10 at which Johnson was photographed, and another in the cabinet room on his birthday.

At the end of March, police began issuing fines to officials, and earlier on Tuesday it said it had recommended more than 50 fines be issued. Some people may have received more than one fine.

A fine will be issued to Johnson's wife, Carrie, according to her spokeswoman.

In a preliminary report published in January, senior civil servant Sue Gray slammed failures of leadership and judgment at the top of Johnson's administration. Once the police have finished their investigation, her full findings will be made public.

We can be reached at letters@time.com.