Boris Johnson is bracing himself for the publication of the Sue Gray report on partygate as he faces the prospect of being questioned by Scotland Yard over breaches of lockdown in Downing Street
The senior civil servant investigating lockdown breaking parties in Downing Street still plans to publish her findings this week despite the bombshell announcement of a police inquiry into potential breaches of lockdown laws at the heart of government.
The Prime Minister’s fate was last night strung between the criminal investigation and the pent up anger of Tory MPs awaiting the Gray report.
With Johnson due to face another humiliating outing at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Westminster was on high alert for the Gray report to be published before the weekly showdown.
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 police 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 as it emerged police had not objected to any publication, No 10 insisted it was not trying to block the report and said Gray’s team were in talks over “what may or may not be published”.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.
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