By Ben Kerrigan-
The much awaited report into alleged lockdown-breaching parties at No 10 is ready to be released with Cabinet Office sources confirming police have given senior civil servant Sue Gray clearance for the document to be published in full.
It also follows reports suggesting Ms Gray is in possession of photographs showing parties in Downing Street, including images of the PM, alcohol bottles, and people stood close together.
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Photos of the party were reportedly handed to investigators showing parties in Downing Street, including images of the PM, alcohol bottles and people stood close together. Sky News said it understood the photos had been “handed over to investigators” by government “officials”.
Prime minister, Boris Johnson has expressed confidence about the report being published, re-iterating his confidence not to have broken the rules. Johnson plans to make a speech shortly after the report is published.
The drama surrounding the partygate scandal also took a remarkable twist, after it led to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick announcing that the force is to mount its own inquiry into possible criminal offences by government staff. It came amid fresh revelations of another party to mark Mr Johnson’s birthday during the first lockdown in 2020.
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Sue Gray has received photos of Downing Street parties which include Boris Johnson and others close together with wine bottles.
The latest revelation comes shortly after a government source said senior civil servant Ms Gray’s report into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall that may have broken COVID rules could be published as soon as tomorrow.
The prime minister has vowed to make a statement and answer questions in the House of Commons after its publication.
Earlier on Tuesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick announced that the force was investigating “a number of events” for potential breaches of COVID-19 regulations.
Downing Street reiterated on Tuesday afternoon that the government wants the report to be published “as soon as possible” and insisted Number 10 is not trying to block its publication.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson told reporters talks are taking place between Ms Gray’s inquiry team and the Metropolitan Police to decide what can be published from her investigation into the ‘partygate’ row.
Ms Gray’s report is likely to provide a factual account of what happened at a number of alleged parties, and may present a judgement on whether the events breached rules in place at the time.
Earlier this month, the PM issued an apology in the House of Commons for attending an event in the Number 10 garden on 20 May 2020, claiming he thought it was a “work event”, and asked people to wait for Ms Gray to publish her findings.
Opposition parties insist that any evidence the prime minister has misled parliament would amount to a breach of the ministerial code and require the prime minister’s resignation.
Mr Johnson’s leadership could be put to a vote if more than 54 ministers put in a vote of no confidence
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