Boris Johnson told MPs that there was no lockdown party at Downing Street – a claim since discredited by the emergence of new photos showing him drinking at a gathering.
In December 2021 in the House of Commons, Labour MP Catherine West asked the prime minister to say “whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 November [2020]?”
In the brief exchange, Mr Johnson replied – to the jeers of opposition MPs: “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”
Almost 18 months later, his denial has been contradicted by four photos, obtained by ITV News and published today, that show the prime minister raising a toast at a party for his then director of communications Lee Cain on 13 November 2020.
In the pictures, a number of people can be seen standing together around a table of party food and booze, despite – at the time – the rest of the country being banned from socialising during the height of the pandemic.
Minister refuses to say if No 10 called ‘secret meeting’ with Sue Gray
A cabinet minister evaded multiple questions about whether No 10 had a “secret meeting” with Sue Gray over her Partygate investigation.
Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, refused to divulge any details and ducked several questions by reporters about who requested the talks.
Read the full story here:
Boris Johnson ‘must urgently explain’ why he met Sue Gray to discuss her Partygate report
Boris Johnson is under pressure to explain why he met with Sue Gray to discuss her report into the Partygate scandal, which is due within days.
Labour warned the “secret meeting” could further damage confidence in the investigation of the scandal, while the Liberal Democrats raised fears of “a stitch up”.
Read the full story by Independent’s deputy political editor, Rob Merrick here:
Partygate is a reminder that the government must work with the civil service – not against it
Whether or not the meeting between the prime minister and Sue Gray was appropriate, the whole episode is an indication of a wider dysfunctional relationship.
Read the Independent editorial here:
Simon Case to face ‘stinging criticism in Sue Gray report’
Top civil servant Simon Case is expected to be hard-hit by the long-awaited Sue Gray Partygate report despite not being fined over the scandal, it has been reported.
Reports have also suggested the document, expected to be published in the coming days, will feature photographs of illegal gatherings.
Read the full story here:
Boris Johnson ‘backs former Met Police chief to take charge of National Crime Agency’
According to reports, Boris Johnson is set to back the former head of the Metropolitan Police to take charge of the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Lord Hogan-Howe could become the director-general of NCA, the Sunday Times reported — despite failing to make it into the final round of candidates.
Following interviews with home secretary Priti Patel, two highly qualified police chiefs have already been rejected for the role.
Now, the newspaper reported, Mr Johnson wants the 64-year-old Hogan-Howe to lead the agency.
Hogan-Howe was chief of the Met Police from 2011 to 2017.
Sue Gray denies calling meeting with No 10
Sue Gray has denied requesting a meeting with No 10 to discuss her report into the Partygate scandal.
A spokesperson for Ms Gray was quoted by Sky News as saying that she “did not initiate the meeting” and rubbished reports claiming that the Partygate photos were discussed during the talks.
However, a No 10 source told the Evening Standard that “the PM did not request the meeting and hasn’t tried to influence the outcome in anyway. It’s rightly for Sue to decide and it’s all done independently.”
Prince William to appear on £5 coin to mark his 40th birthday
Prince William’s 40th birthday will be celebrated with a £5 coin featuring his portrait, it was reported.
The Royal Mint said that the UK’s official coin producer has unveiled the coin ahead of William’s birthday on 21 June.
It is the first time the duke — who is second in line to the throne — will appear alone on an official coin.
The coin features his portrait set amid his royal cypher – his initial W – and the number 40.
Local Conservative candidate’s tweet causes outrage
On Saturday a post on the Twitter account of Jonty Campbell — a Conservative local election candidate from Preston — said: “Here’s the thing with girls 22 or under, they smell massively different to a girl of 28. Girls aged 16 to, say 23, have this buttery, creamy, slightly sweet smell that is unbelievably magnetic.”
The post received massive criticism online and led to a number of expressions of outrage against Mr Campbell.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, an author and women’s rights activist, responded: “What did I just FREAKING read? Where do you begin to deconstruct this evil. It’s the mindset of misogyny/violence against women personified. What a sick disgusting perversion about young women. Jonty Campbell is who @Conservatives have as candidate? What a pervert! @CmdrJonty”
Mr Campbell’s account was later set to private after the outrage.
Anticipation over Sue Gray report heightens amid clamour over ‘secret meeting’
Sue Gray’s report into the Partygate scandal is finally set to be published this week, as the prime minister faces mounting calls to explain his “secret meeting” with the senior civil servant.
It has been reported that top civil servant Simon Case will be hit hard by the damning report expected to be published in the next few days.
The Sue Gray report is said to feature photographs of the illegal parties in Downing Street, including those attended by Boris Johnson, during the lockdown.
Sue Gray Partygate report ‘contains photos’
Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into illegal Downing Street parties held during the coronavirus lockdown will reportedly contain images from the events.
ITV News political editor Robert Peston wrote on Twitter: “For the first time I can remember, a report by a Cabinet office official will contain photos. The Sue Gray report, when published this week, will – I understand – contain photos of the Downing St [parties]. The stakes for PM and Cabinet Sec Case very high indeed.”
