Boris Johnson does not refer to himself as “big dog” Downing Street has said as he undertakes a bid to divert attention from the partygate scandals in a campaign codenamed “Operation: Save Big Dog”.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman denied Downing Street staff referred to Johnson as "big dog".
As the Government unveiled a string of populist measures for right-wing Tory MPs, the spokesman said: “I’ve never heard that term used.”
It has been reported the plan has been dubbed “big dog” by the Prime Minister himself and included a blueprint on which junior heads should roll after the publication of an investigation into partygate.
Asked whether the PM referred to himself by the nickname, the spokesman said: “Certainly not that I am aware of.”
With Downing Street coming under increasing pressure and ridicule over the series of rule-breaking parties during lockdown, the spokesman said he “couldn’t put a timescale on” when Sue Gray ’s report on the issue would be presented to parliament.
The spokesman said there was a commitment to release the report in full.
He added: "I couldn’t put a timescale on it, but we certainly, we are… we want this to be published and you’d expect to hear from the PM swiftly but beyond that it all depends on exactly when the report is concluded and when it’s made available.”
Downing Street refused to confirm whether the PM had been interviewed by Sue Gray with speculation that the investigation could be concluded and published this week.
The Telegraph reported that Johnson had spoken to the senior official as part of her inquiry and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the PM had “submitted himself to that investigation”.
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "As with any individual I wouldn’t get into commenting on the process of the ongoing investigation.”
On Monday, Downing Street was preparing to rush out ministerial statements from Home Secretary Priti Patel on the Royal Navy taking a co-ordinating role on stopping people-smuggling boats crossing the English Channel, while a statement from the Culture Secretary Nadine Dories signalling a freeze in the BBC licence fee.
These populist right-wing announcements, codenamed “operation red meat”, are part of a bounce back plan to appease Tory MPs and discourage them joining in any no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister.
The “operation red meat” initiative, including publication of Levelling Up plans and knighthoods for potential troublemakers, has already been lampooned by opponents as “operation dead meat”.
SNP Home Affairs spokesman Stuart McDonald MP said: "Reports that the Tory government intends to put the military in charge of targeting vulnerable refugees in rickety boats and send them to overseas detention facilities are utterly appalling.
"It is shameful that Boris Johnson is putting forward these toxic policies in a desperate attempt to woo his right-wing backbench MPs, distract from the scandals engulfing his party, and to save his own skin."
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