Is he a "flawed individual" mortified by his actions or a "liar and lawbreaker"? The UK has been reacting to prime minister Boris Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak getting fined for attending a gathering during the country's COVID-19 lockdown. 

Johnson, his wife Carrie, and finance minister Sunak were fined on Tuesday for breaching laws the government imposed to curb COVID-19, drawing a wave of condemnation, including from the families of those who died alone during the pandemic.

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The prime minister initially told parliament that no parties took place. But police investigated 12 gatherings after an internal inquiry found his staff had enjoyed alcohol-fueled parties at a time when social mixing was all but banned in the country.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID?

First, the culprits. More than 50 people have been fined for Partygate, including the government's ethics advisor. But the press and public were initially only interested in just two voices.  

Boris Johnson: 

"It didn't occur to me that, as I say, that I was in breach of the rules. I now humbly accept that I was.

"I think the best thing I can do now is, having settled the fine, is focus on the job – and that's what I'm going to do."

Rishi Sunak: 

Sunak offered an "unreserved apology" for breaking the rules at the same birthday gathering, adding that he respected the decision and had paid the fine.

"I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry," he said. 

CRITICS

The news prompted widespread condemnation, led by Johnson's political opponents, past and present. 

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour party:

"This is the first time in the history of our country that a prime minister has been found to be in breach of the law, and then he lied repeatedly to the public about it.

"Britain deserves better. They have to go."

Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the opposition Labour party:

Corbyn said the fines weren't enough.

"Now they should be held to account for the UK's 170,000 COVID-19 deaths, COVID-19 contract corruption and for the millions of people they have plunged into poverty while the super rich dodge their taxes."

Gary Neville, former footballer:

The ex-England international soccer player turned broadcaster posted: 

"It's not the party for me! It's the denial, the team members he's made resign or step down and the continual lies even to this day. You can add slippery Sunak to that as well!"

SUPPORTERS

A snap poll for YouGov found 57 percent of voters agreed with Neville, believing Johnson should resign, while 75 percent thought he had knowingly lied. In another survey by Savanta ComRes, 61 percent said he should quit.

Despite this worrying polling, in the short term it is only his Conservative lawmaker colleagues who have the power to oust Johnson. A leadership challenge will be triggered only if 54 of the party's 360 parliamentary members demand a confidence vote. However, most still seem to be in support of the PM. 

Some of those who have previously called for his head said now was not the time.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party:

"In the middle of war in Europe, when Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes and the UK is Ukraine's biggest ally, as President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy said at the weekend, it wouldn't be right to remove the prime minister at this time."

Grant Shapps, UK transport minister:

Shapps became philosophical on Sky News, stating "I'm not saying that the prime minister isn't a flawed individual. We're all flawed in different ways. The question is did somebody set out to do these things with malice? 

"The prime minister is mortified about it, but I think there's a big job for him to get on and do on behalf of the British people, on behalf of the world fighting this cruel war."

Nadine Dorries, UK culture minister:

Dorries, a Johnson loyalist, was the first MP to back the prime minister. 

She tweeted: "PM has been clear about what happened on June 19, 2020 and offered a full apology. It was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room, less than 10 minutes during a busy working day. PM is at his best when delivering on the priorities of the British people which he will continue to do."

Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary:

Potential future leadership contender Truss also issued a supportive statement, saying Johnson had "apologized and taken responsibility for what happened in Downing Street.

"He and the Chancellor are delivering for Britain on many fronts including on the international security crisis we face. They have my 100 percent backing."

Michael Fabricant, backbench Conservative lawmaker:

The Conservative MP spoke to broadcasters soon after the news broke, sparking condemnation from nursing and teaching groups, when he told the BBC: 

"I think at the time just like many teachers and nurses who after a very, very long shift would tend to go back to the staff room and have a quiet drink which is more or less what he has done.... I don't think he thought he was breaking the law, but of course that doesn't make any sort of excuse…." 

WHAT DID THE PAPERS SAY?

"Led by liars and lawbreakers":  The front page of the Mirror, a center-left tabloid, which was the first to publish many of the Partygate revelations.

"Don't they know there's a war on": The right-wing Daily Mail, largely supportive of the Conservatives.

"The Pinocchio Prime Minister": The lightheared tabloid Daily Star's reference to the infamous lying fairytale puppet.

"I'm sorry, but I have work to do": Front page of the generally Conservative-supporting, Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid The Sun.

"Johnson refuses to quit over lockdown party fine":  The center-right Murdoch-owned The Times played it straight in its front page headline.

"People have the right to expect better":  The Daily Telegraph, often called the in-house journal of the Conservative Party, quotes Johnson's own apologetic words.

"Fines for breach of lockdown law pile pressure on Johnson and Sunak": The business bible The Financial Times suggests they aren't politically in the clear yet.