The prime minister is in receipt of the Sue Gray report
Boris Johnson has received part of the long-awaited report into lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
The findings should be made public within a few hours, with a statement in the commons from the prime minister expected to follow.
It’s understood the report will be heavily redacted, after a Metropolitan police investigation into allegations of lockdown breaches was launched last Tuesday.
Sue Gray was drafted in last month to handle the now infamous inquiry into alleged Downing Street lockdown breaches, after top Civil Servant Simon Case was forced to step aside following reports a drinks reception was held in his office.
Case is still responsible for any potential sackings of Civil Servants, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson decides the fate of any political dismissals.
The senior civil servant has previously carried out a number of high-profile investigations in Government, including the likes of ex-chief whip Andrew Mitchell over “plebgate”, and then-Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green, who was found to have made a “misleading”statement to police regarding pornography on his office computer.
Originally the inquiry was set to examine a leaving party on the 27th November 2020 where Boris Johnson is said to have given a speech, and a Christmas party which Johnson did not attend on 18 December 2020.
Over the course of the investigation, parameters were widened to include other events including the now infamous BYOB garden party on the 20th May 2020, where those attending were sent an email invitation by the principal private secretary to the prime minister, Martin Reynolds.
The internal inquiry had access to internal emails, calendar invites and Downing Street exit and entry logs with one report suggesting mobile phones had been seized from some Number 10 officials.
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into parties held at Downing Street during covid lockdowns.
Speaking in the Commons Boris Johnson said he welcomed the police investigation, telling MPs “I believe it will help to give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters”.
Meanwhile, Labour has said the police investigation meant Johnson’s leadership is now untenable.
In a statement, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “With Boris Johnson’s Downing Street now under police investigation, how on earth can he think he can stay on as Prime Minister?
“Millions of people are struggling to pay the bills, but Boris Johnson and his government are too wrapped up in scandal to do anything about it. Boris Johnson is a national distraction.”
Related Links
- No 10 staff partied until 1am in seven-hour booze session before Prince Philip funeral, reports say
- Met probe could be good news for Boris Johnson as Sue Gray report delayed
- Downing Street parties: Cressida Dick confirms Met will investigate No 10 lockdown events
