Downing Street has said that Boris Johnson is still waiting to receive the Sue Gray report into allegations of rule-breaking parties in No 10.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve not received it.”
Asked why the Downing Street position has changed to it just being the “intention” to publish the Gray report as it is received, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It is simply a reflection of the fact that we have not received the findings and don’t know its format, that’s why it remains our intention to publish it as received.”
Downing Street has said it is not aware of the Metropolitan Police asking to interview Boris Johnson yet.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Not that I’m aware of, but as a rule I’m not going to be getting into individuals who may or may not be involved.”
Boris Johnson rejected calls to resign as he waited for an official report into the partygate row.
The Prime Minister insisted he was “getting on with the job”, although he acknowledged there were people who “want me out of the way” for a variety of reasons.
Mr Johnson appeared at Prime Minister’s Questions with his future in the balance as Westminster awaits the release of senior official Sue Gray’s report into alleged lockdown-busting parties in No 10 and Whitehall.
The report is expected to be handed to No 10 on Wednesday, although it had not been submitted by the time Mr Johnson stood up to face MPs.
But an indication of how damaging the report could be for the Government came when Scotland Yard chief Dame Cressida Dick announced a police inquiry was being carried out, based in part on evidence obtained by the Gray investigation.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested Mr Johnson had misled Parliament about Downing Street parties, something which would normally require a minister to resign.
Asked if he would now quit, the Prime Minister said: “No.”
Sir Keir said: “We now have the shameful spectacle of a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom being subject to a police investigation, unable to lead the country, incapable of doing the right thing and every day his Cabinet fail to speak out they become more and more complicit.”
He challenged the Prime Minister to publish the full Gray investigation report as he receives it – Mr Johnson said he would “do exactly what I said”, although there has been speculation the version published could be redacted or edited.
Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions (House of Commons/PA)
The Prime Minister is also committed to giving a Commons statement in response to the Gray report.
Sir Keir said: “Whatever he says in his statement later today or tomorrow won’t change the facts. Isn’t this a Prime Minister and a Government that have shown nothing but contempt for the decency, honesty and respect that define this country?”
Mr Johnson replied: “Of course he wants me out of the way – he does, and of course I don’t deny, for all sorts of reasons, many people may want me out of the way.”
But he said Sir Keir wanted him out because “he knows that this Government can be trusted to deliver”.
He added: “We’re – and in particular I – am getting on with the job.”
