Boris Johnson is facing renewed pressure over the Partygate scandal amid proposals for a second reunion in apartment 10 and a drop of Tory MPs calling for his resignation.
Despite his attempts to “continue” with the rule-breaking events that rocked his presidency, allegations surfaced over the weekend that officials had tried to dilute Sue Gray’s report.
On Sunday, the cabinet was forced to issue a statement denying that senior figures were able to edit or influence the 37-page document released on Wednesday.
A spokesman emphasized that Ms Gray’s long-awaited report had been “impartially made” and that its content “represents only the findings and conclusions of the investigation team”.
“As with all such investigative reports, the process of obtaining official representations from those considered critical was conducted before they were published. This is an appropriate and common process in such matters, “they said.
But Labor said Mr Johnson still had questions to answer after The Sunday Times claimed reports reported that the prime minister’s wife, Carrie, had held a second reunion in an apartment № 10pm on 19 June 2020. d.
The alleged incident was not mentioned in Ms Gray’s report and was alleged to have been separate from Mr Johnson’s birthday gathering in the office on the same day, for which the couple had received a fixed notice of punishment.
Angela Raynor, the Labor’s deputy leader, said it “looks like another cover and there are new questions that the prime minister has to answer about his involvement”. She added: “The public deserves the truth as to why a blockade party in the prime minister’s apartment on his own birthday has not been made public so far.
The Sunday Times report claims that reports sent by Ms. Johnson on June 19, 2020, appear to indicate that she was in the apartment with several friends. Under Covid’s regulations, indoor communication was banned, but an exception was introduced to allow people to meet for work.
№ 10 did not deny that the event took place, and a spokeswoman for Ms. Johnson told The Independent: “As The Sunday Times admits, Sue Gray was aware of these exchanges as part of her comprehensive investigation into alleged violations.
“Employees were given ample opportunity to present evidence, including these reports, and all relevant information was passed on to the Sofia police for investigation.
They added: “The lunch meeting in the Cabinet on 19 June 2020 was subsequently found to be in breach and Ms Johnson was issued a notice of a fixed sanction, among others, for which she apologized unreservedly and in a timely manner. pay the fine.
The allegations, which threaten to rekindle anger over the Partygate scandal, came when conservative lawmakers publicly called on the prime minister to resign.
About 25 Tory MPs called on Mr Johnson to step down from the scandal, with more than a dozen no-confidence letters to the Conservative Committee’s 1922 chairman, Graham Brady.
Over the weekend, it was revealed that additional letters had been sent from Anne-Marie Maurice, who restored the whip just two weeks ago, and former Health Secretary Steve Bryan, who said the no-confidence vote was “inevitable”.
In order to trigger such a vote, 54 MPs must write to Sir Graham, but given the secretive nature of the process, it is unclear at this time whether the rebels are close to the threshold.
Speaking to The Independent, Sir Roger Gale, one of the first MPs to vote no confidence in the prime minister last December, said: “As far as I know, there is no conspiracy; it seems to come from all directions.
“I actually told James Dudridge [Mr Johnson’s parliamentary private secretary] that if I was on it, I would activate it now. “
Referring to the upcoming by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton & Honiton on June 23, Sir Roger said: “He has a better chance of winning them now than likely after a poor midterm result.”
After Mr Johnson was criticized on Friday for changes to the ministerial code, Sir Roger added: “He has been elected for all time now to move the doorposts above the ministerial code. That sounds ridiculous, because it’s going to really lift people’s noses, I thought. “
Another lawmaker, who filed a no-confidence motion, said it was “not surprising” that colleagues from all over the party were leaking against the prime minister.
“It simply came to our notice then [that] there must be a change of direction before the next general election, “they added. “The party has shown in the past that it can change direction – we need to demonstrate this now.”
Speaking on Sunday, Brandon Lewis, secretary of Northern Ireland, suggested Mr Johnson would win a vote of confidence, but downplayed the prospect of such a vote, saying: “I don’t think we’re in this space. I do not think this is in the interest of the country; I don’t think that’s in the Conservative Party’s interest. No, I don’t think we’ll see that happen. “
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