LIVE: Boris Johnson makes statement to Parliament after paying fine for breaching Covid rules

Boris Johnson will make a statement to MPs today following the Easter Parliamentary recess. The prime minister is expected to make an apology in the House of Commons after paying a fine issued by police for attending his own surprise birthday party in breach of Covid laws.

Mr Johnson, along with his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, were fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday party thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place. He previously apologised for his part in attending the bash and confirmed he had paid the fine despite telling the Commons previously that all Covid guidance was followed.

It comes as Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved an application from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other opposition MPs to table a motion for debate on Thursday. It will give MPs the chance to vote on whether the prime minister misled Parliament over his assurances Covid rules were followed in Downing Street.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson to make 'full-throated apology' to MPs over partygate

This afternoon, Mr Johnson is expected to try to convince his critics that there are bigger issues to focus on than the partygate saga. It is thought the prime minister will apologise for the rule breaching but emphasise the need to deal with the crisis in Ukraine and unlawful migration.

Conservatives are divided over whether Mr Johnson should face a vote on his future following his fine. Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the Ukraine war should not be used as a “fig leaf” to distract from the issue, raising the prospect of further fines for the Conservative Party leader as Scotland Yard’s inquiry progresses.

The chairman of the Defence Committee told BBC