Partygate: Government’s former ethics chief apologies for ‘error’ after being fined

Officials have been fined for partying during England's first lockdown

The government's former ethic chief has said sorry for an “error of judgment” after being fined by the Met police for attending a lockdown-breaking party in Downing Street. Helen MacNamara said: “I am sorry for the error of judgement I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.” It's understood she attended a "raucous" karaoke party at which there was a drunken brawl, three days after non-essential retail reopened - and at a time when indoor gatherings were banned. She received a £50 fine for attending a party on 18 June 2020, which was thrown to mark the departure of private secretary, Hannah Young, who was taking up a new role in New York. Previously, Macmara was the director general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office - meaning she was responsible for ensuring the highest standards of propriety, integrity and governance within government. She now works for the Premier League. She is the first person to be named as part of the Met Police's investigation into lockdown parties in Westminster during Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. Related Links

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