Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has compared the prime minister’s Covid fine to a parking ticket. Quizzed by Sky News on whether a “law-maker can ever be a law-breaker”, he hit back: “I think that we do see consistently, whether it is through parking fines, whether it is through speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position.” 

“You asked me if somebody who sets the laws and the rules can also be someone who breaks the rules. That clearly has happened with a number of ministers over the years, “ he went on.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he disagreed that the two things were comparable, telling ITV’s Lorraine programme that: “I don’t think you can just say to people ‘oh, just move on’. I also don’t accept this argument that some Conservatives are putting out that it’s a bit like a speeding fine. 

“It isn’t like a speeding fine at all. In all of my days I have never had anybody breakdown in front of me because they couldn’t drive at 35 miles an hour in a 30 mile an hour zone. 

“I have had no end of people in tears, in real bits, about complying with rules that really, really hurt them.”

Responding to Lewis’ comments, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “The excuses of Conservative ministers are getting more pathetic by the day. There is a massive difference between getting a parking fine and Boris Johnson breaking his own lockdown rules.

“It is an insult to bereaved families and all those who made huge sacrifices while Johnson partied in Number 10. Conservative MPs need to discover their moral backbone and sack Johnson instead of defending the indefensible.”

Green MP Caroline Lucas also swiped at Lewis’ comments, writing via Twitter:  “Oh spare us Brandon Lewis – have some self respect & stop trying to defend PM. “If someone gets a speeding ticket …I’m not in any way trying to equate a speeding ticket with sacrifices people made.” That’s exactly what you’re doing & trashing decency in public life.”