Boris Johnson is preparing for the publication of a report into lockdown rule breaking parties as he also faces the prospect of Scotland Yard questioning him over covid breaches.
The Sue Gray report, which is examining alleged breaches of lockdown in Downing Street, is set to be published at some time tomorrow with some bombshell announcements expected that could potentially put the Prime Minister's position in question.
It was thought that the publishing of the report would be delayed until a criminal investigation could take place, but it is understood that the Metropolitan Police gave Sue Gray the green light on Tuesday afternoon.
Tory MPs are believed to be waiting to see if the report will produce any damning information that would force them to oust their leader, the Daily Record reports.
Johnson is expected to face Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon in what is expected to be an excruciating time for the PM.
It is not yet known if the report will be published before PMQ’s.
Despite suggestions that the senior civil servant’s probe could be delayed or redacted because of a police investigation Whitehall sources said it could be published in full.
The Cabinet Office and the Met were in discussion over the report after publication was thrown into doubt by the shock announcement on Tuesday of a police investigation into the Prime Minister’s parties.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick gave the partygate drama another twist when she confirmed her officers are now investigating “a number of events” in Downing Street and Whitehall in relation to potential coronavirus regulation breaches.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman put the prospect of Johnson being interviewed in the frame when he said that anyone asked for information by the Metropolitan Police “would be expected to co-operate in any way they are asked to”.
Johnson himself said he welcomed Scotland Yard’s investigation and expressed hopes officers will “help to draw a line under matters” after his leadership was plunged into deeper jeopardy.
In a day of swirling tensions around Downing Street it emerged police had not objected to any publication, while No 10 insisted it was not trying to block the report and said Gray’s team were in talks over “what may or may not be published”.
The SNP’s Ian Blackford MP demanded Sue Gray’s report must be published without delay.
The SNP Westminster leader said: “There is nothing stopping Ms Gray’s report from being published as planned, given that the Metropolitan Police has not raised any objections."
He added: “Any attempts to block or delay publication of the report is just another pitiful attempt from a Prime Minister who knows his days in office are numbered.”
While a handful of Tory MPs, led by Scottish leader Douglas Ross MP, have publicly called for Johnson’s resignation, others have said they will await the publication of the Gray report before deciding whether to trigger a vote of no confidence.
