Boris Johnson fails to win over Partygate critics with apology to Commons

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( April 20, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Boris Johnson fails to win over Partygate critics with apology to Commons]( Boris Johnson's apology to the House of Commons for breaching Covid lockdown rules has failed to appease Conservative critics who are calling for his head, with one former Tory chief whip publicly branding him "unworthy" of the office of prime minister. Prominent backbencher Mark Harper said yesterday that he had submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister, accusing him of asking Tory MPs to "defend the indefensible" as crucial local elections approach. One former minister told The Independent that it was time for Mr Johnson to say "thank you and goodbye". The prime minister will reportedly order his MPs to block an investigation into claims that he misled parliament over parties in Downing Street. Tory whips have ordered all MPs to be in Westminster tomorrow to vote against a motion referring Mr Johnson to a formal investigation by the Commons privileges committee for contempt, The Times reported. The committee would be able to interrogate the documents and photographic evidence of lockdown-breaching parties that was collected by Sue Gray.   2 / [The proposed solutions Priti Patel was offered before Rwanda deal]( Exclusive: Priti Patel accused critics of failing to ‘offer solutions’ but ministers have rebuffed numerous official recommendations since 2019 3 / [Ukraine: ‘Fighting intensifying’ in Donbas as Russia gives fresh Mariupol surrender window]( Vladimir Putin's forces have taken control of the city Kreminna in eastern Ukraine 4 / [Prince Harry says he's 'making sure' Queen is 'protected' and has 'the right people around her']( Duke and Duchess of Sussex made surprise visit to Windsor to see the Queen on Thursday 5 /[Motorists in self-driving cars can watch TV and films behind wheel in Highway Code change]( There are currently no vehicles approved for self-driving on roads in the UK, but the first could be given the green light this year     The Big Question How much could Boris Johnson end up paying in ‘Partygate’ fines? The prime minister, his wife Carrie Johnson and the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, were all issued with £100 fixed-penalty notices by the Met last week after investigating officers concluded that they had all been present at a birthday bash for Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020 when strict restrictions concerning social distancing were in place nationwide to contain the first wave of coronavirus infections. Those fines were reduced to £50 in each case as the recipients paid them off within 14 days, in accordance with the law. But given that he is thought to have attended as many as five other gatherings during the period under investigation, he could ultimately face more fines, creating rolling waves of bad publicity and ill feeling that could conspire to make his position untenable as he continues to fight for his political life. [Read the full story >](   Watch/ [Boris Johnson 'no longer worthy' of being Prime Minister, says senior Tory MP](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 1,100 – [More than 1,100]( cases of a new Covid-19 variant, Omicron XE, have been detected in the UK.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “What a joke.” – Keir Starmer responds to [Boris Johnson's apology]( to the House of Commons over his Partygate fine.   [Subscribe today](     Other stories you might like   [JK Rowling: Miriam Margolyes says anger at Harry Potter author over trans views has been ‘misplaced’](   [Scientists make major breakthrough in search for aliens in our solar system](   [Johnny Depp says he is ‘not embarrassed’ as he testifies in trial against ex-wife Amber Heard](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers Ben Chapman, The Independent: [Sunak is not listening over help with bills – will energy company bosses change his mind?](   Other newsletters you might like [US morning headlines] US Morning Headlines Weekdays, 12pm (UK time) Written by Andrew Naughtie [Sign up]( [Climate warrior] Climate Warrior Every Wednesday, 8am (UK time) Written by climate activists [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.