Boris Johnson may be forced to resign after Sue Gray’s review of allegations of government violations of Covid’s rules is published, according to a report.
Ms Gray, a senior government official, was forced to postpone the publication of her investigation into alleged parties held on Downing Street and Whitehall during the coronavirus blockade in England, due to the launch of her own investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
In an interim report published in January, the cabinet official said there had been “failures in leadership and judgment” in №10 regarding the so-called party saga.
The Times, citing an official who described the content of the full report, said Ms Gray’s full findings were even more critical of the prime minister personally and could end his term as prime minister.
According to the newspaper, the employee said: “Sue’s report is desperate. This will make things incredibly difficult for the Prime Minister.
“There is a lot of pressure on her – her report may be enough to end it.”
No. 10 declined to comment.
This comes amid isolated reports in the newspaper that conservative rebels are preparing to oust Mr Johnson in the event of poor performance in next month’s local elections or additional fines.
Police continue to investigate allegations of Covid breakthrough number 10 (Stefan Rousseau / PA)
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Scotland Yard has already fined Mr Johnson, along with his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, for attending his 56th birthday in June 2020, when Covid rules banned indoor gatherings.
Downing Street is said to be prepared for Mr Johnson to receive a second FPN notice after police reportedly began issuing fines for “bring your own bottle” drinks in a garden № 10 of 20 May 2020
He reportedly attended half of the 12 rallies investigated by police.
Cabinet ministers on Sunday offered to defend the prime minister, with Conservative chairman Oliver Dowden suggesting it was “quite speculation” to predict Mr Johnson could be hit with more FPNs.
He and Brexit Opportunity Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg backed Mr Johnson to lead the Tories in the next general election, which is currently scheduled for January 2025 at the latest.
Sue Gray has so far published only an interim report from her party’s investigation (Stefan Rousseau / PA)
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Mr Dowden told Sky News that he had “very strong arguments for the prime minister remaining in office”, despite growing pressure from his own reservations to step down.
In recent weeks, senior judges, including former Secretary of State Steve Baker, have raised their heads over the railing to urge Johnson to leave Downing Street after dealing with allegations of rule violations.
According to i, critics of the prime minister have begun to work in a coordinated manner and are “abstaining” to wait for the results of the local elections or additional FPNs to arrive in Mr Johnson’s inbox.
The newspaper cites other reports that some insurgents have prepared letters of no confidence to be sent en masse to the 1922 Tory MPs’ Committee if the party beats the May 5 election.
Mr Dowden acknowledged that the council election would be “challenging”.
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