By Ben Kerrigan-
Sue Gray has blamed “senior leadership” at the top of government for allowing lockdown-busting parties to take place in Downing Street and Whitehall.
The release of the senior civil servant’s full report had been delayed until the Metropolitan Police finished their investigation into COVID rule-breaking events at the heart of government – named Operation Hillman.
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Officials in Number 10 have reportedly been going through the 37-page document – with photos – on Wednesday morning .
Boris Johnson expressed surprise and disappointment at partygate revelations in the Sue Gray report, and will release a statement about it today.
The long awaited document blamed those in charge “at the centre, both political and official, to bear responsibility” for what went on.
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Gray revealed she had not properly investigated the gathering held in Johnson’s flat, where five special advisers attended and alcohol was provided.
She said she had only started gathering evidence about the event on the night two senior aides departed immediately before the Metropolitan police opened its own investigation.
She said she stopped when officers launched Operation Hillman to avoid prejudicing their inquiries. When Scotland Yard’s inquiry ended, Gray said she considered continuing to look into the event “but concluded it was not appropriate or proportionate to do so”.
Gray also said she was told about “multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff”, which she described as “unacceptable”.
The report includes details of a drinks event in the No 10 garden on 20 May 2020, organised by Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, who urged anyone working in Downing Street that day to “bring your own booze!”
A picture published in Sue Gray’s report shows Boris Johnson at No 10 raising a glass on his birthday in June 2020.
Ms Gray also said the behaviour of those involved “fell well short” of the standards the public expected of those running the country.
Gray revealed she had not properly investigated the gathering held in Johnson’s flat, where five special advisers attended and alcohol was provided.
She said she had only started gathering evidence about the event on the night two senior aides departed immediately before the Metropolitan police opened its own investigation but stopped when officers launched Operation Hillman to avoid prejudicing their inquiries. When Scotland Yard’s inquiry ended, Gray said she considered continuing to look into the event “but concluded it was not appropriate or proportionate to do so”.
Gray also said she was told about “multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff”, which she described as “unacceptable”.
The report includes details of a drinks event in the No 10 garden on 20 May 2020, organised by Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, who urged anyone working in Downing Street that day to “bring your own booze!”
The Met issued 126 fixed penalty notices to 83 people, including the prime minister, his wife Carrie and the chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
The conclusion of the Met’s separate inquiry saw a total of 83 people receive at least one fixed-penalty notice (FPN) each, for attending get-togethers over eight dates.
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