LONDON — Boris Johnson’s office was forced to deny reports the prime minister tried to suppress a probe into lockdown parties, as the government’s efforts to shift public attention from the long-running scandal falter.
The latest row in the so-called partygate saga started when newspapers over the weekend reported a meeting between Johnson and senior civil servant Sue Gray, who had been commissioned to investigate allegations of law-breaking parties in Downing Street and other government offices.
The news triggered a series of claims and counter claims, with cabinet minister Simon Clarke telling broadcasters the meeting was at Gray’s request — only for Johnson’s office to backtrack hours later, saying Johnson asked for the meeting to discuss the process for releasing her report.
The flip-flopping on the official narrative only served to raise suspicions. At a regular briefing on Tuesday, Johnson’s spokesman was still fielding — and deflecting — questions about what was discussed. The meeting was “private,” Max Blain told reporters. Johnson didn’t ask Gray to drop her report, which the prime minister still wants to be published, he added.
Even as the immediate danger to Johnson from partygate has receded with Conservative Party MPs losing interest in a leadership challenge, the scandal continues to throw up uncomfortable moments for the prime minister.
That is likely to continue when Gray eventually publishes the report, which is expected this week. Photos published by ITV News on Monday showing Johnson proposing a toast at one lockdown gathering offered a taste of the kind of details Gray has at her disposal. In a sign that Downing Street expects the report on Wednesday, Johnson is due to address an influential committee of rank-and-file Tories on Wednesday evening.
Ultimately, the Tory math is working in favor of Johnson’s survival. It would take 54 Tory MPs — or 15% of the total — just to secure a no-confidence vote in the premier. Winning that vote would take a majority.
Still, while the biggest risk to Johnson from partygate is now likely in the court of public opinion, the residual anger in the Tory party will worry the prime minister. The type of self-inflicted misstep and U-turn illustrated by the row over Johnson’s meeting with Gray is precisely what riles his MPs — and what helped bring him to the brink just weeks ago.
