At present, the Metropolitan Police says it is investigating a number of parties and events in and around Downing Street. But this is not enough. The Prime Minister should be investigated for the far more serious charge of "misconduct in public office".

Prosecutors (the CPS) define the offence as being committed when:

* a public officer acting as such; 
* wilfully neglects to perform his duty and/or wilfully misconducts himself; 
* to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder; 
* without reasonable excuse or justification.

It is hard to see how PM Johnson avoids this charge: he is a public officer, he admits he did nothing to stop the parties and even attended some, he abused the public's trust (on a far wider scale than just his office) and there is no reasonable excuse or justification.

Without this being properly investigated, the risk is that officials are blamed instead of the elected politicians and a few people are fined. That will change nothing.