The long-awaited Sue Gray report into Downing Street and Whitehall gatherings is expected to be published on Wednesday, it has been reported. There appears to be little chance of the top civil servant's investigation being made public today.
Instead, the Telegraph has reported that it finally see the light of day ahead of Prime Minister's Questions at noon. A statement from Boris Johnson would then follow in the afternoon.
Pressure continues to build on the PM after images of him raising a glass at a leaving do were published by ITV on Monday. Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Mr Johnson will be “disappointed” to see the images of him raising a glass at a leaving party during lockdown.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I think we, personally, find them very difficult to look at. I couldn’t see my own dad for four months during this period because he was in hospital and we thought we’d lost him at one point.
“I think actually looking at this as well the Prime Minister will be disappointed.
“I think he’s popped down there to raise a glass and say thank you to a long-term member of staff who is leaving. My view is it shouldn’t have happened”
Mr Shapps declined to call it a party when pressed, instead saying: “It’s certainly a leaving event.” He said he awaits the Sue Gray report “quite imminently now”.
He also did not deny reports that Boris Johnson suggested to Sue Gray she did not need to publish her partygate investigation. He told Sky News: “I wasn’t in the room so I don’t know that’s the case.
“Exactly what was discussed, I don’t know. “Occasionally things get reported that are not entirely accurate, the civil service were there to make sure that all the correct processes were followed so I have no particular reason for concern about the two of them meeting.”
Downing Street is understood to believe it is probable it will receive the Sue Gray report into partygate on Wednesday.
Boris Johnson is facing fresh accusations he lied to Parliament after photographs emerged of him raising a glass at a Downing Street leaving party during lockdown. The images – obtained by ITV News – were taken at a do for departing communications chief Lee Cain on 13 November 2020, just days after Mr Johnson had ordered a second national lockdown in England.
Asked last December in the Commons whether there had been a party in No 10 on that date, the Prime Minister said “no” and added he was sure the rules were followed at all times. Labour said there was now “no doubt” that Mr Johnson had “lied” to MPs.
Veteran Conservative backbench MP Sir Roger Gale – a long-standing critic of Mr Johnson – said it was clear that he should go.
“It’s absolutely clear that there was a party, that he attended it, that he was raising a glass to toast one of his colleagues. And therefore, he misled us from the despatch box. And, honourably, there is one answer,” he told Times Radio.
His comments were echoed by the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Baroness Davidson, who said Mr Johnson’s position had become untenable.
“There is now photographic evidence that when the Prime Minister stood up in Parliament and was asked directly ‘was there a party in No 10 on this date’ and he replied ‘no’, he lied to Parliament,” she told Channel 4 News.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Cabinet Office and the Met Police have had access to all information relevant to their investigations, including photographs.
“The Met have concluded their investigation and Sue Gray will publish her report in the coming days, at which point the Prime Minister will address Parliament in full.”
