Boris Johnson has refused to admit to criminality in Downing Street as he was grilled by MPs after fines were issued over the police’s partygate investigation.

The prime minister came under pressure, during questions from the Commons liaison committee, to concede that this week’s announcement of 20 fixed penalty notices by the Met Police meant that the law had been broken.

But Mr Johnson stonewalled attempts by the SNP’s Pete Wishart to force him to do so or to admit to any breach of the ministerial code, telling him: “You are just going to have to hold your horses.”

Earlier, a spokesman for the prime minister had apparently refused to endorse comments by deputy PM Dominic Raab, who told Sky News that the fixed penalties were being issued to “those that have breached the regulations”.

Mr Wishart told the PM: “You can at least accept there has been criminality.

“You do accept it? Twenty fixed penalty notices have been issued for goodness sake. There can’t be any contradiction and doubt about criminality?”

Mr Johnson replied: “I have been, I hope, very frank with the House about where I think we have gone wrong and the things that I regret and I apologise for, but there is an ongoing investigation.

Downing Street parties: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer attacks PM over ‘widespread criminality’

Boris Johnson faces questions on cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine and partygate from MPs on Liaison Committee

Lord Lebedev peerage: Russian-born businessman says he has ‘nothing to hide’ as MPs approve call for ‘transparency’ over peerage

“I understand the point you’re making but… I have been very clear I won’t give running commentary on an ongoing investigation.”

Labour has described it as “totally untenable” for “Downing Street to sort of refuse to acknowledge what is a statement of fact and law” and the Liberal Democrats said the position was “absurd”.

Downing Street has said it would reveal if Mr Johnson – or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case – is issued with a fine but thus far has not made any such statement.

Related posts:

Peer who suggested 6pm curfew for men says she wanted to make a point Labour to vote against Priti Patel’s crime legislation ‘mess’, sparking row over women’s safety ‘This is the new normal’: PM prepares to reveal winter COVID plan relying on vaccines not lockdowns PM wants to avoid COVID vaccine passports ‘if we possibly can’ – but will keep them ‘in reserve’ COVID-19 vaccine invites for 12 to 15-year-olds will start being sent out next week Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s mother Charlotte Johnson Wahl dies aged 79 75 Tory MPs likely to rebel against PM on vote for further COVID restrictions Tory chairman ‘disgusted’ by Downing Street parties and calls for culture change Former Labour minister Lord Myners dies aged 73 ‘Great idea’: Zahawi defends plan to put Navy in charge of policing Channel migrant boats Government accused of attacking BBC to distract from ‘partygate’ ahead of expected licence fee freeze Boris Johnson has thrown some ‘red meat’ but the drip, drip of damage continues