Johnson prepares for Gray report after Met confirms investigation into Downing St . parties
Boris Johnson on Tuesday braced for the publication of an imminent inquiry into rule-breaking Downing Street parties after he spent the day negotiating with allies and negative Conservative MPs. Conspiracy to fight for political survival.
Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, announced a criminal investigation into the gatherings, Tuesday initially casting doubt on the date for the announcement of Sue’s long-awaited investigation. Grey, a senior Whitehall civil servant.
But the Financial Times understands that Gray’s investigation could be announced as early as Wednesday, according to several officials. “Sue determined it was coming soon,” said one. An ally of Johnson said the prime minister was expected to receive it on Tuesday evening.
Gray’s report will be scrutinized by critics of Johnson, who are weighing whether an attempt should be made to topple him. A total of 54 Tory MPs had to send a letter to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 backbench committee, to trigger a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.
Johnson has told colleagues he will fight to save his job and is expected to use the publication of the Gray report to inform Downing Street’s operational shake-up. A Tory MP said: “It’s not so much what’s in Gray’s report but how he reacts to it.”
Another said Johnson told colleagues in the voting lobby: “We’re going to get through this.” The MP added: “He really believes he is going to get out of this. His optimism is more than deep skin.”
Gray’s investigation is expected to focus on the prime minister’s attendance at several Number 10 events that are believed to have broken coronavirus restrictions, as well as what officials describe as a “drinking culture”. alcohol” in Downing Street and other parts of Whitehall.
Those briefed on Gray’s investigation said the report would be in her concluding form, spanning several pages, but it would not include a substantial amount of evidence from her interviews. her, such as photos or messages.
An official said Gray would issue an election report rather than a longer one asking for transactions – concerned that a longer report would introduce a whitewash allegation.
“Everything we assign to the prime minister will be announced,” said one government insider. “He won’t get a complete record of every witness statement or WhatsApp.”
Johnson is expected to send a statement to the House of Commons once the report is released, including another apology for his handling of the situation. A reputable MP said it could come as early as Wednesday following questions from the prime minister.
Johnson’s allies continued their efforts to bolster his support following the Met’s announcement. Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the House of Commons and a close ally of the prime minister, described his ability to lead the country as “brilliant”, adding: “He got us through the period. This is extremely difficult.”
Dick told a London Council meeting on Tuesday that the Met would start its own investigation. “I can confirm that the Met is currently investigating a number of events at Downing Street and Whitehall over the past two years related to alleged violations of Covid-19 regulations.”
Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan police chief who served as a Downing Street guard, said there was no reason to suspend the release of Gray’s report. “It becomes unnecessarily complicated. It doesn’t have to be because you have all the evidence there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sky News reports Gray has received photographic evidence of Downing Street parties, including one of the prime ministers and “others close together by bottles of wine”.
