The government’s former ethics chief has apologised for an “error of judgement” after being fined by the Met Police for going to a lockdown-breaking party in Westminster.

Helen MacNamara said she has paid the fine she was handed in connection with a leaving party held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020 to mark the departure of a private secretary.

She said: “I am sorry for the error of judgement I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”

Ms MacNamara was the government’s director general for propriety and ethics from 2018 to 2020. She now works for the Premier League.

Last week the Metropolitan Police announced 20 fines for people who allegedly attended lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.

Ms MacNamara is the first person to confirm they have paid a penalty in relation to the investigation.

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