The fact that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak received fixed-penalty notices for breaking lockdown laws is the most damaging aspect of the pair's public denial of any wrongdoing.
Here is a look back at some of the denials made by the prime minister and his chancellor.
After the Mirror broke about Christmas parties in Downing Street, Johnson responded to the Labour leader Keir Starmer who had asked if a party would be held at No 10 on December 18th, 2020.
He said at the prime minister's questions:
Johnson said when asked on Sky News why he wouldn't explain his account of the allegations, Johnson said:
When asked about the alleged Downing Street parties held in December, the prime minister told BBC News:
Johnson told the Commons after footage of Allegra Stratton joked about a Christmas party was released.
When asked again about alleged Downing Street parties by Sky News, Johnson replied:
The prime minister told reporters at a No 10 press conference:
After the Guardian revealed pictures of people, including the prime minister, at drinks in the Downing Street garden on May 15th, 2020, Johnson said:
When asked if he broke the lock-down rules, Sunak said no, apologised to Parliament and admitted to attending a gathering, but at this point he continued to stress that he thought it was a work event.