It is in order to ‘avoid prejudicing’ their investigation
The Metropolitan police has asked that Sue Gray’s inquiry into alleged lockdown parties at Downing Street make “minimal reference” to any events the force is investigating.
In a statement released on Friday morning the Met said that “for the events the Met is investigating, we asked for minimal reference to be made in the Cabinet Office report”.
Scotland Yard added that it did not want the report to be delayed or for any “limitation on other events in the report.”
The statement said that the request for some details to be left out had been made to “avoid prejudice in our investigation.”
NEW: Sue Gray report now to be stripped of details of No10 parties after request by police
Statement from the Met Police: pic.twitter.com/sRs4tTNMrS
— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) January 28, 2022
Senior civil servant Sue Gray is investigating a series of events in Downing Street and across Whitehall which are alleged to have broken lockdown rules.
Her report has yet to be delivered to Number 10, but has been expected soon.
The Prime Minister and other Tories have refused to comment on the Downing Street parties whilst Gray’s report is underway, with a number of backbenchers awaiting her findings to decide whether to trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson.
Ministers have made no indication that the report has been handed over to Number 10 yet.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday morning, technology minister Chris Philp said: “I spoke to someone in Downing Street about half an hour ago, and they certainly didn’t indicate that it had been received.
“So, I don’t know a lot more than you do but I’ve certainly got no information as of right now that it has been received.”
Related links:
- Met probe could be good news for PM as Sue Gray report delayed
- Senior Tory to meet police over claims MPs were ‘blackmailed’ not to oust PM
- Downing Street parties: Cressida Dick confirms Met will investigate No 10 lockdown events
