A limited version of the report into No 10 and Whitehall parties during lockdown has criticised a “serious failure” to observe the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government.
Sue Gray’s findings were published online as Boris Johnson prepared to face MPs at 3.30pm as he fights to save his premiership.
In a carefully-worded statement, the Cabinet Office said Ms Gray had provided an “update” on her investigation to the Prime Minister, suggesting it was not the full report she was preparing before the Metropolitan Police intervened.
Scotland Yard last week asked Ms Gray to make only “minimal reference” to gatherings being investigated by its officers.
The version of Ms Gray’s report published online said “it seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public”.
Full list of the gatherings covered in Sue Gray’s report
15 May 2020; a photograph showing a number of groups in the garden of No 10 Downing Street
20 May 2020: a gathering in the garden of No 10 Downing Street for No 10 staff
18 June 2020: a gathering in the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a No 10 private secretary
19 June 2020: a gathering in the Cabinet room in No 10 Downing Street on the Prime Minister’s birthday
13 November 2020: a gathering in the No 10 Downing Street flat; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a special adviser
27 November 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a special adviser
10 December 2020: a gathering in the Department for Education ahead of the Christmas break
15 December 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street for an online Christmas quiz
17 December 2020: a gathering in Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall to hold an online Christmas quiz for the Cabinet Secretary’s private office; a gathering in Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a senior Cabinet Office official; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a No 10 official
18 December 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street ahead of the Christmas break
14 January 2021; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of two No 10 private secretaries
16 April 2021; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a senior No 10 official; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of another No 10 official
