British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police as an inquiry has been initiated into parties held at his 10, Downing Street residence and Whitehall in violation of the lockdowns norms that were out in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister’s residence has confirmed that he had been contacted by the police and said he would "respond as required," according to a BBC report.

Police are sending the questionnaire by email to more than 50 people.

The police said its email has asked for an "account and explanation of the recipient's participation in an event" and must be responded to within seven days.

But being contacted does not mean a fine would always be issued, the Met added.

The questionnaire has the same status as information given in an interview under caution.

The prime minister has come under pressure over the allegations of parties during lockdowns, with several Tory backbenchers calling for him to resign and submitting letters of no confidence in his leadership.

Both Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie were expected to be among those emailed, although No 10 has not said if Mrs Johnson had received one.

According to BBC political correspondent Ione Wells, the fact that Boris Johnson has received a questionnaire, shows the police believe he now needs to account for his actions, and what he was doing at these events, to see whether or not he has broken the law.

Politically this is an incredibly damaging situation to be in for a serving prime minister.

While some allies have said they would support him even if he received a fixed penalty notice, many Tory MPs think his position would be untenable if he's found to have broken the law.