UK Politics

Staff in government departments across Whitehall look set to be subjected to a “booze ban” in most work settings in the wake of the Sue Gray partygate inquiry.But it is understood that there will not be a blanket ban on drink, which would prevent government buildings being used for events like hosting visiting dignitaries or charity receptions.In a key recommendation in her 12-page interim report, the senior civil servant – a former pub landlady – said that every department should draw up a “robust” policy on alcohol in the workplace.And No 10 later made clear that this would involve a ban in most circumstances.Ms Gray’s inquiry looked into 16 separate occasions in 2020 and 2021 when alcohol was allegedly consumed in apparent breach of Covid regulations, ranging from parties in the garden and basement of No 10, to quiz events and a gathering in Boris Johnson’s private flat.It emerged that No 10 staff had a suitcase which they used to bring bottles of wine into the building.In her report, Ms Gray said: “The excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time.“Steps must be taken to ensure that every government department has a clear and robust policy in place covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace.”The prime minister’s official spokesperson confirmed that this recommendation had been accepted.He said that fuller detail on how any alcohol ban would operate will be produced once there has been time to develop the policy properly. More

Boris Johnson has sparked a fresh wave of outrage after telling MPs the government had been “cutting crime by 14 per cent”, when overall levels have increased.The prime minister made the claim while responding to Sue Gray’s report on Downing Street parliament in the House of Commons on Monday.Mr Johnson told MPs the issue was “whether this government can be trusted to deliver”, repeating: “Yes, we can be trusted!” The prime minister reeled off a list of policies, including the Covid vaccination programme and freeports, but was greeted with shouts of “what?” from opposition MPs with a claim on crime levels.Mr Johnson said “we’ve been cutting crime by 14 per cent”, but official figures published on Thursday showed many types of crime up while prosecutions hit a record low.Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: “The prime minister claimed he has ‘been cutting crime by 14 per cent’ even though the independent Office of National Statistics (ONS) said just last week there had been ‘a 14 per cent increase in total crime’. “To say things that are contradicted by the facts in the middle of a statement that is all about the lack of integrity and honesty in Number 10 is truly shameful. It shows, yet again, that no one can trust anything that Boris Johnson says.”The prime minister appeared to be referring to statistics from the Crime Survey of England and Wales, which uses people’s reported experiences of crime rather than those recorded by police.In the year to September, compared with the year to September 2019, the survey showed a 14 per cent increase in total crime. The figures were only down by 14 per cent if surging fraud and computer misuse are excluded from the total. The ONS said the crime survey was not a reliable measure of high-harm crimes, such as serious violence, which are better measured by police figures.They showed the highest ever number of rapes and sexual offences ever recorded in the same period, 12 per cent up on the previous year.Police recorded a decrease in some forms of violent crime, including stabbings, but the ONS report made no mention of government policy playing a role.“Patterns of crime in the year ending September 2021 have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and government restrictions on social contact,” it said.“The number of incidents decreased for many types of crime during periods of national lockdowns. However, police-recorded crime data show indications that over the last six months, certain offence types are returning to or exceeding the levels seen before the pandemic.”Separate figures published by the Home Office showed that the proportion of crimes prosecuted in England and Wales plummeted to a record low in the year to September.Overall, 6 per cent of crimes were prosecuted, including just 1.3 per cent of rapes, 2.9 per cent of all sexual offences and 5.4 per cent of violent crimes.The figures came amid record delays in the time taken for cases to be dealt with, leaving victims waiting years for justice.The average time taken from the recording of a serious offence to the end of proceedings is now 708 days, and the number of outstanding crown court cases stands at around 60,000, including 49,000 trials. More

Downing Street has announced that Sue Gray’s full report on lockdown-busting events at No 10 will be published following the completion of the police inquiry.The promise came after Boris Johnson came under fire for refusing to confirm that he would stick by his commitment to make the Whitehall mandarin’s findings public.The prime minister initially told MPs he would “take a decision” on publication after the Metropolitan Police conclude their separate probe into the allegations of parties.And his official spokesperson told reporters that the PM may not even ask Ms Gray to provide him with a further update, following her presentation of a heavily-abridged 12-page report today. More

Theresa May has launched a devastating broadside against Boris Johnson in the wake of an investigation into rule breaking at Downing Street.Speaking in the Commons on Monday afternoon the former Conservative prime minister asked Mr Johnson whether he did not understand Covid rules – or thought he was exempt.Moments after the publication of Whitehall mandarin Sue Gray’s report was published, Ms May said it showed No 10 “was not observing the regulations they had imposed on members of the public”.She added: “so either my right honourable friend had not read the rules or didn’t understand what they meant and others around him, or they didn’t think the rules applied to Number 10. Which was it?”Mr Johnson replied: “With the greatest respect to my right honourable friend, no, that is not what the Gray report says. But I suggest that she waits to see the conclusion of the inquiry. “In fact, the top civil servant’s report concluded that “a number of these gatherings should not have been allowed to take place or to develop in the way that they did”. Other Tories joined the chorus of criticism against the prime minister. Former Conservative cabinet minister, Andrew Mitchell, also told the prime minister he no longer “enjoys my support”.Senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said Tory backbenchers “need no reminder” about how to “dispose of a failing leader”. He called for a streamlined No 10 and warned the PM: “It is on results over the next few months on which he will be judged.” Conservative MPs are said to have been awaiting the findings of Sue Gray’s report before deciding whether to trigger a leadership challenge against Mr Johnson.Former chief whip Mark Harper challenged the prime minister to commit to publish the Gray report “immediately and in full” once the police investigation concludes. But the prime minister said only that he will “take a decision” after Scotland Yard’s probe is done.Tory MP Julian Lewis said Mr Johnson should insist on receiving the full unredacted report immediately and “publish the uncensored version without delay”.Senior backbencher Tobias Ellwood warned that if the PM fails to publish the Gray report in full “then he will no longer have my support”.Meanwhile, Aaron Bell, one of the red wall Tory MPs who won seats in 2019, recalled in the Commons going to his grandmother’s funeral in May 2020 at which only 10 people were allowed to attend.“Many people who loved her had to watch online. I didn’t hug my siblings. I didn’t hug my parents,” Mr Bell – before challenging Mr Johnson: “Does the prime minister think I’m a fool?”Mr Johnson replied: “No … I want to thank my honourable friend and I want to say how deeply I sympathise with him and his family for their loss.”And Tory MP Steve Baker – a leading lockdown sceptic who recent suggested it was “checkmate” for Mr Johnson’s leadership – challenged the PM explained why the government had asked millions of people “to comply with minute restrictions on their freedom”. More

Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to give MPs a commitment to publish Sue Gray’s report into rule-breaking in No 10 in “full”.The prime minister said he will “take a decision” after the Metropolitan Police conclude their separate probe into the allegations of parties.The move is likely to enrage backbench Conservative MPs, who repeatedly tackled Mr Johnson on the issue during a bruising statement to the Commons.On Monday, Ms Gray published an “update” of her long-awaited report after being told to make “minimal” reference to key allegations of gathering under investigation by the Met.She added that in the meantime it was not possible to present a “meaningful report” and was “extremely limited” over the information she could reveal.Speaking moments after her initial findings were published, the former Conservative chief whip Mark Harper told the Commons: “Many have questioned, including my constituents, the prime minister’s honesty, integrity and fitness to hold that office. In judging him he rightly asked us to wait for all the facts.”He added: “Sue Gray has made it clear in her update today that she couldn’t produce a meaningful report with the facts.“So could I ask the prime minister the question (Labour MP Diane Abbott) asked him and to which he didn’t give an answer: when Sue Gray produces all of the facts in her full report after the police investigation, will he commit to publish it immediately and in full?”Mr Johnson, however, said: “What we’ve got to do is wait for the police to conclude their inquiries, that is the proper thing to do. ‘”People have given all sorts of evidence in the expectation that it would not necessarily be published, at that stage I will take a decision about what to publish.”The question was also echoed by senior backbencher Julian Lewis, who chairs Parliament’s intelligence and security committee. He said the prime minister should “publish the uncensored version with any further delay”.But the prime minister replied: “I think extensive legal advice has been taken on this point and Sue Gray has published everything that she thinks she can that is consistent with that advice.”Posting on social media during Mr Johnson’s statement, Tobias Ellwood, another senior Tory MP said: “The PM promised to publish the Sue Gray Report in full so Parliament and the British people could better appreciate the facts and draw their own conclusions. “If the PM fails to publish the report in full then he will no longer have my support.” More

Boris Johnson’s birthday celebration is among a dozen gatherings being investigated by police, Sue Gray’s report has confirmed.The prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, reportedly helped organise a surprise event for him in Downing Street’s cabinet room on 19 June 2020, where attendees presented a cake and sang “happy birthday”.Covid laws at the time meant that large social gatherings were banned, unless they were between linked households.An alleged party in the prime minister’s private flat in November 2020 was also confirmed to be part of the probe, alongside several leaving dos and Christmas parties.Ms Gray wrote: “It is not for me to make a judgment on whether the criminal law has been broken; that is properly a matter for law enforcement. “In line with my terms of reference I have been in regular contact with the Metropolitan Police as my work has progressed in order for them to take decisions on the gatherings under examination, including whether to launch their own investigation.”The “update” report was published in redacted form on Monday because of the ongoing probe, with Ms Gray saying she was not currently able to provide the “extensive factual information” on the events being handled by police.Scotland Yard is investigating the 20 May 2020 gathering in Downing Street’s garden, where a leaked email showed staff had been invited to “bring your own booze”.Police are not looking at a gathering that took place five days before, where a photograph showed wine and cheese being consumed by the prime minister, his wife and other attendees.Officers are investigating a gathering held in the Cabinet Office on 18 June 2020 to mark the departure of a Downing Street private secretary, and Mr Johnson’s birthday celebration the following day.Two gatherings on 13 November 2020 are under police investigation – an alleged party in the prime minister’s flat and a separate Downing Street gathering marking the departure of a special adviser. England was in lockdown at the time.Scotland Yard is not investigating a Downing Street special adviser’s leaving gathering where the prime minister gave a speech on 27 November 2020, or a Department for Education Christmas gathering on 10 December 2020. More

The leader of the SNP’s Westminster group has been ejected from the House of Commons for saying Boris Johnson misled parliament over No 10 parties.Ian Blackford refused to withdraw his comments in an exchange with the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and was excluded under standing orders.He had said Mr Johnson had “wilfully, wilfully misled parliament”.MPs are officially banned from accusing each other of lying or deliberately misleading the Commons during parliamentary debates.Speaker Sir Lindsay repeatedly challenged Mr Blackford to withdraw the comments and state that Mr Johnson had only “inadvertently” led the House of Commons. But Mr Blackford said: “It’s not my fault if the prime minister can’t be trusted to tell the truth.”Amid a backdrop of raucous shouting from the Tory benches, Sir Lindsay said: “Under the power given to me by standing order number 43 I order the honourable member to withdraw immediately from the House.”Mr Blackford walked out of the chamber before the Speaker had finished, with Sir Lindsay noting: “It’s all right, we don’t need to bother.”Following the episode, the senior SNP MP said: “This is what truth to power looks like at Westminster. A liar is allowed to keep his place – I am forced to leave for telling the truth. “He misled the house, he must go. Tories must look themselves in the mirror and ask if they can allow this to go on much longer. Remove him now.” More

Sue Gray’s “update” report into parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall said that some of the social gatherings held during lockdown represented a “serious failing” by those at the heart of government.But it did not say very much else. Boris Johnson was not mentioned once in the 12-page summary. The top civil servant deferred to the Metropolitan Police probe, conceding that she was “extremely limited in what I can say”. Ms Gray did reveal, however, that Scotland Yard is now investigating almost all of the events she was asked to look into when the partygate scandal reached fever pitch earlier this year.The Cabinet Office official said she had been asked to examine 16 gatherings on 12 different dates since the first lockdown.She said the police would look into 12 events – including the notorious “bring your own booze” event in May 2020 and the prime minister’s birthday celebration a month later in June.But Scotland Yard will not be picking up on gatherings held on 15 May 2020, 27 November 2020, 10 December 2020 or 15 December 2020, since they had not reached the “threshold” for criminal investigation.So what does the Gray “update” leave out? Well, almost everything, in terms of details. There is no particular criticism for any individuals, and the language is not of the scathing kind some at No 10 had feared.Ms Gray also chose not to name Martin Reynolds, the principal private secretary to the prime minister who sent the notorious email inviting No 10 staff to a “bring your own booze” event.But she did state: “Too much responsibility and expectation is placed on the senior official whose principal function is the direct support of the prime minister. This should be addressed as a matter of priority.”The Cabinet Office official also opted not to publish even basic, factual accounts about the four dates Scotland Yard has decided to ignore.Ms Gray added: “It is not possible at present to provide a meaningful report setting out and analysing the extensive factual information I have been able to gather.”Here is some of what has been reported on the 16 events that Ms Gray’s update mentions, but does not cover in any detail, many of which are now under scrutiny by the Met police force.15 and 20 May 2020 – No 10 ‘garden parties’ITV News had reported that the prime minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds invited over 100 people by email to a “bring your own booze” event in the Downing Street garden on 20 May.Mr Johnson was reportedly among 30 or people alleged to have attended the garden party – despite strict rules limiting people to meet only one person outside your household in an outdoor, public place. This event is being probed by police.The bash was scheduled just five days after another cheese and wine gathering reportedly took place in the Downing Street garden – with a photo showing Mr Johnson and staff at a table with a bottle. PM later said: “those people were at work talking about work”. This gathering is not being looked at by officers.18 June 2020 – Cabinet Office gatheringThe Gray update mentions a gathering in the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a No 10 private secretary, which will be investigated by police.19 June 2020 – PM’s ‘birthday party’Up to 30 staff reportedly gathered at No 10 to sing ‘happy birthday’ to Boris Johnson, despite a ban on most social indoor gatherings involving more than two peopleAccording to ITV News, the PM was presented with a cake and M&S party was available. The Met police team is investigating this event.13 November and 27 November 2020 – Downing Street ‘leaving drinks’Dominic Cummings has alleged that No 10 staff members attended a party at Mr Johnson’s private flat on 13 December after he left – despite a second lockdown being in place that month. Downing Street has flatly denied any gathering took place.My Gray’s update says her team has been examining a gathering in the No 10 Downing Street flat, and a gathering in No 10 Downing on the departure of a special adviser. Police will be looking at these events.Sources have told the BBC there was also a leaving event held for No 10 staff member Cleo Watson on 27 November, while the second lockdown curbs were still in place. But Ms Gray’s update says police are not probing any event on this date.10 December 2020 – Education department eventThe Department for Education has already confirmed and apologised for a social gathering, featuring drinks and snacks, to thank staff. Police are not looking into this event.15 December 2020 – Downing Street quizBoris Johnson was pictured hosting a Christmas quiz in Downing Street via Zoom. An image obtained by the Sunday Mirror shows the PM leading the quiz and sitting with two colleagues underneath a portrait of Margaret Thatcher.Ms Gray she her team has been looking at the gathering in No 10 for an online Christmas quiz, but police will not be investigating this one.14 December 2020 – Shaun Bailey eventThe Conservative Party has already confirmed that an “unauthorised” social event was held by the team of former mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey. Photos showed Bailey gathered with staff, food and booze. He later apologised and stepped down as head of the police and crime committee at the London Assembly. The Met is looking into this alleged breach of rules.17 December – Cabinet Office eventsEx-head of the Covid taskforce Kate Josephs has admitted to and apologised for gathering staff at the Cabinet Office for her leaving do on 17 December, saying she was “truly sorry that I did this and for the anger that people will feel as a result”.18 December 2020 – No 10 ‘Christmas party’An alleged Downing Street Christmas event, first reported by The Mirror, was initially denied by No 10. Around “40 or 50” people were said to have attended, according to the report which sparked the partygate scandal.But a video then surfaced showing then-press secretary Allegra Stratton joking about an event she sarcastically described as a “business meeting”.14 January 2021 – No 10 ‘leaving drinks’Ms Gray’s update says her team is looking at a gathering in Downing Street on the departure of two No 10 private secretaries. The police will examine too.16 April 2021 – More ‘leaving drinks’Downing Street staff reportedly attended leaving drinks events the evening before Prince Philip’s funeral – which saw the Queen sit alone in accordance with strict Covid rules during a period socialising indoors with other households was banned.Witnesses told The Telegraph that “excessive alcohol” was drunk. One was reportedly held for James Slack, Mr Johnson’s then-director of comms, and the other for his personal photographer. No 10 has apologised to the Queen for the “deeply regrettable” events.Ms Gray’s update said she was looking into both leaving events. The police team will also investigate the events. More