Boris Johnson said he didn't know his 2020 office party that violated UK lockdown measures 'could amount to a breach of the rules'

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he didn't know at the time that attending a party in 2020 could be a violation of the rules.

Last week, Johnson apologized and paid a 50-pound fine for attending a birthday celebration in June 2020 that violated the country's COVID-19 lockdown rules.

While addressing Parliament on Tuesday, the Prime Minister apologized again, saying it was a mistake.

It didn't occur to me that a meeting in the Cabinet room just before a crucial meeting could be a violation of the rules.

—BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 19, 2022

The rule-dodging scandal prompted a wave of criticism from Johnson's political opponents, who have called for the prime minister to resign. Keir Starmer called Johnson's apology a joke.

The public do not believe a word the prime minister says, according to Starmer.

—BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 19, 2022

The birthday party of Johnson in June 2020 was one of the gatherings that violated the country's COVID-19 lock down. In early December 2021, leaked footage showed staff joking about hosting a Christmas party in December 2020.

Four days after sources told British tabloids and news outlets that a Christmas party took place at Johnson's 10 Downing Street office, the leaked video was shot.

Johnson faced backlash after leaked photographs captured him hosting a Christmas quiz. The British prime minister initially denied that any parties had taken place.

The government could block the probe because it is chaired by a Labour Party politician.

Conservative MP MarkHarper called for Johnson to step down from office for breaking rules and not being straight forward about it.

I regret to say that we have a Prime Minister who broke the laws that he told the country to follow.

The PM's wife, Carrie Johnson, and the Chancellor were fined for their roles in the celebrations.

The Justice Minister of Johnson resigned last week. In his resignation letter, he said the fines point to the conclusion that there was repeated rule-breaking and criminal activity in the building.

He said that it was not just a question of what happened in Downing Street, or your own conduct. We don't share the same view of these matters, so I have to ask you to accept my resignation.

The representatives from the office of the Prime Minister did not respond to the request for comment.