Pressure on the prime minister has intensified over Downing Street’s blockade parties ahead of Sue Gray’s report.
Number 10 is expected to receive the final report of the investigation on Wednesday. It is expected to be more in-depth than the Met Police investigation, which ended last week – and will include the names of violators.
Criticism of the Metropolitan’s investigation has intensified after photos surfaced on Monday of Boris Johnson raising a toast to colleagues on Downing Street, allegedly on November 13, 2020, during the second national blockade in England.
Police decided not to fine the prime minister for the incident, but there was at least one other person.
Political Center: Live updates before the publication of Sue Gray’s report
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was among those who called on the Metropolitan to explain why Mr Johnson received only one fine for violating blocking rules during his 56th birthday rally.
The police supervisor confirmed on Tuesday that it had received a complaint from Lib Dems about Met’s investigation, urging them to establish how Met’s detectives had decided not to fine the prime minister for events on November 13, 2020.
Former Metropolitan Superintendent Dal Babu told Sky News he was “amazed” that the prime minister had not been fined for the event.
The perceived failure of the Met has added to the pressure on Sue Gray’s report to reveal more details.
MEPs, including some conservatives, accused Mr Johnson of misleading parliament after he denied attending the party on 13 November following a direct question about his presence on 8 December 2021.
Conservative veteran MP Roger Gale said it was a “resignation issue”.
Image: Photos that appeared on Monday show the prime minister toasting a colleague. Photo: ITV
Measures on the cost of living are being put forward
In what some see as an attempt to reduce the sting of Sue Gray’s investigation, it is understood that the chancellor is introducing financial aid for the crisis with the cost of living on Thursday – presenting a statement in June.
Another photo from The Mirror appeared on Tuesday night, showing a man standing at a table on Downing Street with nine bottles of wine and prosecco, as well as donuts and miniature cakes.
The gathering is believed to have been the departure of then-Prime Minister-designate James Slack’s official spokesman on November 17, 2020, during the second national blockade.
It is estimated that 30 to 40 officers were present and the incident was not investigated by police.
Mr Johnson is believed to have encouraged staff to “let off some steam” as they worked hard during the pandemic.
Image: Critics have wondered why the prime minister was not fined for the event on November 13, 2020. Photo: ITV
“Regular breach of the rules”
Three Downing Street insiders told the BBC they had witnessed regular breaches of the rules during the coronavirus restrictions, with weekly press drink invitations being referred to as “wine Friday”.
The wreckage of the party was left overnight for employees arriving the next day, insiders said as they recounted crowded gatherings where people sat on each other’s laps.
One said they thought they had Mr. Johnson’s permission because he didn’t tell them to spoil the scenes and “grab a glass for themselves.”
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2:38 Partygate: “Matt has to explain”
It is also alleged that security guards were supposed to send an email on Downing Street telling people to stop holding events.
Downing Street said it had passed all photos and evidence to Matt police and Sue Gray’s investigation.
A spokesman for the prime minister said he could not “comment on the allegations, as Sue Gray’s report has not yet been published”.
“You will hear the prime minister after this happens, so I am limited in what I can say,” he added.
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