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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Phil Norris

Downing Street police 'interviewed over partygate claims'

Police officers based at Downing Street have been questioned as part of Sue Gray's 'partygate' investigation, it has been reported.

The senior civil servant is looking into a number of allegations surrounding parties and gatherings at Downing Street.

And The Telegraph has reported that Members of the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command are understood to have been interviewed as part of the investigation.

According to reports their statements have been described as 'extremely damning' and could form a key part of the probe.

Sue Gray is expected to deliver her report this week after gathering evidence on a string of potentially rule-breaking gatherings.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the senior official has also spoken to Boris Johnson, civil servants and political advisers, as well as accessed security pass logs and the Prime Minister’s official diary.

A source said: “Met officers have spoken to Sue Gray now, as you would expect, and have been able to provide a lot of information.”

Asked how significant the material they had disclosed was, they added: “Put it this way, if Boris Johnson is still Prime Minister by the end of the week, I’d be very surprised.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman added: “The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this inquiry.”

The Prime Minister is braced for the delivery of the Sue Gray report into Downing Street drinking parties during lockdown which could determine his fate.

Many Tory MPs have said they will wait to see the findings before deciding whether to push for a vote of confidence which could see him forced out.

The Prime Minister is reported to be determined to hang on to his position believing that he has done nothing wrong.

A move against the Prime Minister looked to have been put on hold last week with the defection of Bury South MP Christian Wakeford to Labour, causing MPs to rally to the party colours.

However the stay may be only temporary with some in No 10 fearing a flurry of letters to the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady when the report is published .

Under party rules, once the total reaches 54 – 15% of Tory MPs – Sir Graham must call a vote of confidence in the leader.

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