Boris Johnson will this afternoon publish Sue Gray’s “partygate” report and make a statement to the Commons on alleged breaches of Covid regulations.
The prime minister will face MPs’ questions on the scandal for around 90 minutes after the parliamentary statement, which is scheduled for 3.30pm. He is then due to face Tory MPs at a behind-closed-doors meeting of the backbench 1922 Committee at 6.30pm.
The senior civil servant’s report was handed to No 10 at 11.20 on Monday morning, shorn of many key details at the request of the Metropolitan Police, which is conducting a parallel investigation.
The Cabinet Office described the document as an “update” on Ms Gray’s inquiry, raising speculation that she intends to publish a full report following the conclusion of the police inquiry.
However, Downing Street said it had not yet been decided whether the full Gray report will ever be made public.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson said that today’s update will be published in exactly the form it was received from the Whitehall mandarin, with no further redaction by No 10.
Asked if the PM was grateful to Ms Gray for her work, the spokesperson replied: “Yes. Obviously he commissioned this work to be carried out.”
He said Mr Johnson spoke “briefly” with Ms Gray on Sunday to discuss the timing of the report’s presentation and publication, but said they did not talk about its contents.
The report was commissioned by Mr Johnson into alleged rule breaking at No 10 during the various coronavirus lockdowns.
Claims include birthday parties for the prime minister himself, a Christmas party, and staff raving in a basement while a special advisor acted as a DJ.
Cheese and wine evenings, recommendations to ‘bring your own booze’, and regular so-called ‘Wine Time Fridays’ are among other claims been looked at.
Opposition figures and some Tory MPs have said they do not need to wait for the report to know whether the prime minister broke the rules, given the wide extent of reported festivities.
But some Conservatives are said to be waiting to see its findings before deciding whether or not to trigger a leadership challenge into the PM.
Cabinet Office spokesman said on Monday morning: “We can confirm that Sue Gray has provided an update on her investigations to the prime minister.”
