Boris Johnson apologizes for attending illegal party during lockdown — but says it "did not occur to me" that it broke COVID rules

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered a "wholehearted" apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown — but insisted he didn't knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament.

Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons "it did not occur to me" that the birthday gathering, complete with a cake, was a party.

Last week, Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party in 10 Downing St. in June 2020, making him the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office.