Downing Street parties investigator Sue Gray has seen a crucial e-mail warning against a ‘BYOB’ bash in May 2020, it is understood.
Ex-aide Dominic Cummings claimed this week that a “very senior official” replied to top aide Martin Reynolds’ e-mail inviting 100 staff to "bring your own booze" to the No10 garden, “saying the invite broke the rules”.
It is understood Ms Gray has now been handed this e-mail reply to Mr Reynolds, a move first confirmed by ITV’s Robert Peston.
There is no suggestion Boris Johnson saw or was sent theto Mr Reynolds, and No10 have denied he saw or was sent the original invitation.
But Mr Cummings has separately claimed he personally warned the PM about the “drinks party” and his concerns were “waved aside”.
He also claimed Mr Reynolds himself promised to speak to Boris Johnson about concerns ahead of the event.
The revelations add to the pressure on Boris Johnson as he prepares for Ms Gray’s long-awaited report to be released next week.
Mr Cummings has accused him of lying to Parliament by claiming he “implicitly believed” the May 2020 party where he spent 25 minutes was a work event.
The Tory leader faces a weekend in limbo after several Tory MPs decided to wait until Ms Gray’s report before sending a letter of no confidence.
A government source told the Times Ms Gray - who was due to interview Mr Cummings - is “genuinely struggling to reconcile” the Prime Minister’s account with that of other interviewees.
“It’s very difficult for her,” the source added.
It’s understood Sue Gray has not yet handed her findings to Downing Street and is currently unlikely to do so before next week.
No10 then has control over the timing of publication. Officials have promised to reveal Ms Gray’s report quickly and Boris Johnson will give a statement to Parliament.
But despite the PM’s spokesman saying earlier this week “I think it will be published in full”, the report appears likely to redact names of staff - if they are included at all.
It is possible the report given to No10 will not go into line-by-line detail about who did what and when, instead presenting a summary or broad-brush findings to the PM.
The terms of reference suggest Ms Gray will only establish a “general understanding of the nature of the gatherings”, though this can include the “attendance, setting and purpose”.
While she can recommend disciplinary action against individual staff, this would be kept secret - and Ms Gray cannot rule directly on whether Boris Johnson broke ethics rules.
Any breach by Boris Johnson would have to be investigated by separate advisor Lord Geidt - who can only investigate with the PM’s permission, and whose findings can be overruled by the PM.
Asked today if the Sue Gray report would be published in full, the PM’s spokesman said today: “The Prime Minister has promised to publish that in the House and that remains the case.”
Earlier this week he replied to the same question by saying “yes, we’ve committed to publishing it in the House.” He added: “I think it will be published in full.” However, it’s understood there could be redactions ordered by Sue Gray’s team itself.
Mr Cummings revealed the existence of the e-mail reply to Martin Reynolds on his blog on Monday.
He wrote: “On 20 May, after the PPS sent the invitation to the drinks party, a very senior official replied by email saying the invite broke the rules.
“This email will be seen by Sue Gray (unless there is a foolish coverup which would also probably be a criminal offence).”
No10 have denied Mr Johnson saw or was alerted to Mr Reynolds’ original email invite.
Dominic Cummings tweeted today: “Episode 197 of no10 saying 'cummings lying' then evidence shows no10 is lying...
“NB Broadcasters shd now assume no10 is lying unless strong reason to think contrary, given lying is default mode as regime implodes.”
