Sue Gray’s heavily-censored report into the partygate scandal has blasted “failures of leadership and judgment” in 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office.
The long-awaited report was published by Downing Street at 2.30pm after being delivered to Boris Johnson this morning.
The prime minister is set to respond and face a grilling from MPs in the House of Commons at 3.30pm.
After an eleventh-hour intervention by police, senior civil servant Ms Gray was required to strip the report of all but “minimal” references to alleged breaches of Covid regulations in parties and social gatherings in No 10 and Whitehall departments.
The Met asked her to remove key details, saying this was necessary to avoid prejudicing its own probe.
Earlier today, the prime minister refused to be drawn when asked if the report would be a “whitewash”.
He said: “I stick absolutely to what I’ve said in the past”.
What are the key findings of Sue Gray’s report?
Jon Stone has a summary of the key findings of the civil servant’s inquiry here.
Boris Johnson’s birthday and flat party among dozen gatherings investigated by Met
Boris Johnson’s birthday celebration is among a dozen gatherings being investigated by police.
An alleged party in the prime minister’s private flat was also confirmed to be part of Scotland Yard’s probe by Sue Gray’s long-awaited report.
Sue Gray finds ‘failures of leadership and judgment’ in report on Downing Street parties
Sue Gray’s heavily-censored report into the partygate scandal has blasted “failures of leadership and judgment” in 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office.
The long-awaited report was published by Downing Street at 2.30pm after being delivered to Boris Johnson at 11.20am on Monday.
The prime minister is due to give his response in the House of Commons and be grilled by MPs in an hour’s time.
After an eleventh-hour intervention by police, senior civil servant Ms Gray was required to strip the report of all but “minimal” references to alleged breaches of Covid regulations in parties and social gatherings in No 10 and Whitehall departments.
Sue Gray report: “Serious failure” to observe the high standards
A limited version of the report into No 10 and Whitehall parties during lockdown has criticised a “serious failure” to observe the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government.
The version of Ms Gray’s report published online said: “It seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public”.
The Downing Street garden was used for gatherings “without clear authorisation or oversight” in a way that was “not appropriate”.
Police investigating No 10 gathering on Boris Johnson’s birthday, inquiry update suggests
Police are investigating the No 10 gathering in the Cabinet Room on Boris Johnson’s birthday in 2020, Sue Gray’s update on her inquiry suggests.
More as we have it.
Sue Gray: ‘Behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify’
Sue Gray says some of the behaviour around lockdown gatherings is “difficult to justify”.
In the 12-page report, she writes: “Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify.”
Update on Sue Gray’s investigation published
The update on Sue Gray’s investigation has been published.
The ‘Investigation into alleged gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions – Update’ has been released here.
More as we have it.
Will Boris Johnson resign?
Boris Johnson is facing the most politically perilous moment of his premiership.
As he prepares to address MPs about Sue Gray’s pared-back “update” on her investigation into No 10 lockdown parties, Ashley Cowburn and Joe Sommerlad have this blow-by-blow account of the allegations that have rocked Downing Street.
Will Boris Johnson resign?
The prime minister is under pressure over claims about a series of rule-breaking Downing Street parties that allegedly took place during lockdown
Boris Johnson to address Conservative party tonight, senior MP says
Boris Johnson is set to address a meeting of the whole Conservative parliamentary party at 6.30pm, a senior Tory MP has said.
The meeting is understood to be taking place behind closed doors.
It’s thought he may attempt to convince his MPs to stand by him – and not submit letters of no confidence to the 1922 Committee.
Redacted Sue Gray report ‘good for’ Boris Johnson, says former adviser
A former communications director to Boris Johnson said limited publication of the Sue Gray report will be “bad for democracy” but “good for the PM”.
Will Walden, who advised Mr Johnson when he was London mayor, told BBC Radio 4’s The World At One: “It’s a mess. It’s probably bad for democracy but inadvertently good for the PM.
“He’s used up quite a lot of lives over this but I think it’s landed pretty well for him.
“I think he has the benefit of seeing what appears to be a heavily redacted report, he doesn’t have long to respond but he’s responding to frankly what is going to be not a lot. And I suspect that can only help him.”
