The Met Police have confirmed that they will not issue any further partygate updates before the May local elections.

Scotland Yard confirmed to Sky News that the investigation would carry on and officers would continue recommending fines – but they will not put out press notices on referrals until after the elections.

So far, more than 50 fines have been issued in relation to lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and across Whitehall.

Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak received and paid £50 fixed penalty notices.

The prime minister has faced persistent calls to resign over partygate and apologised to MPs this week in a performance high on contrition.

But he was accused of striking a much less repentant tone in a behind-closed-doors meeting with Conservative MPs.

On Thursday, while on a trip to India, the prime minister urged MPs to wait until they have “the full facts” and for investigators to “do their stuff and then knock this thing on the head”.

He has also vowed to fight the next election as Tory leader.

MPs are debating in the Commons this afternoon and will vote later on whether he should be investigated for misleading parliament when he said no COVID rules had been broken in Downing Street.

Among the speakers was veteran Tory MP Steve Baker, who said: “The prime minister now should be long gone. The prime minister should just know the gig’s up”.

Just two days earlier, Mr Baker had backed Mr Johnson.

Another Conservative, William Wragg, said it was “utterly depressing to keep being asked to defend the indefensible”.