Sue Gray has provided her final report into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall to the Prime Minister, a Cabinet spokesperson has confirmed. The long-awaited report is understood to be 37 pages long and also has nine photos, including pictures of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.
According to an earlier, shortened version published in January, Ms Gray’s investigation analysed events from May 15 2020 to April 16 2021. The full publication into the parties was sidelined as the Metropolitan Police conducted its own partygate probe, dubbed Operation Hillman.
The force concluded its investigation on May 19, with 126 fines being issued in total to 83 people. Mr Johnson received one for an event held on his 56th birthday and was told he would face no further action over other gatherings covered by the inquiry.
Read more: No 10 prepares for Sue Gray report to be published
Earlier this week, two new photographs apparently depicting separate gatherings at Downing Street were published. Images obtained by ITV appeared to show Mr Johnson raising a toast and drinking wine at a gathering held to mark the departure of former spin doctor Lee Cain on November 13 2020.
The Mirror meanwhile published a picture showing a man standing at a table with nine bottles of wine and prosecco, which was claimed to have been taken at a gathering to mark the final press briefing Mr Johnson’s former official spokesman James Slack on November 17 2020.
Prime Ministers Questions will still take place as usual at 12pm today. Mr Johnson's statement regarding the report is expected straight after the session, at around 12.40pm.
The Prime Minister is expected to tell the Commons he will “accept full responsibility for my failings” over partygate. “I commissioned this report to set the record straight and allow us all to move on,” he is expected to tell MPs.
“I accept full responsibility for my failings. I am humbled by the whole experience.” He will also say he has learned the lessons from the situation.
