Shameless Boris Johnson has been brazenly trying to rubbish the Sue Gray report into lockdown-breaking No10 gatherings.
The former Prime Minister claimed it was “surreal” the Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether he lied to MPs over Partygate, will use evidence from Ms Gray given she is poised to become Keir Starmer ’s chief of staff.
He said: “It is surreal to discover that the committee proposes to rely on evidence culled and orchestrated by Sue Gray, who has just been appointed chief of staff to the leader of the Labour Party.”
He added: “I leave it to others to decide how much confidence may now be placed in her inquiry and in the reports that she produced.”
The top civil servant quit Whitehall after decades of service so she can take up a role as Mr Starmer’s top aide - triggering a furious backlash.
The Labour leader said it had been "known for some time" that he was hoping to appoint a chief of staff.
Later speaking to broadcasters, Mr Johnson further attacked Ms Gray as he raised questions about her impartiality now that she is set to work for Labour.
He said: "If you told me at the time I commissioned Sue Gray to do the inquiry, if you told me all the stuff that I now know, I think I might have cross-examined her more closely about her independence.
"I might have invited her to reflect on whether she was really the right person to do it."
And in yet another attempt to rubbish the highly regarded and senior civil servant, he said: “I think people may look at it in a different light.”
Former Culture Secretary and Mr Johnson’s biggest cheerleader Nadine Dorries also pitched in, saying: "Sue Gray's evidence cannot be relied upon in any meaningful way until we know how long Sue Gray has had a personal relationship with Keir Starmer and for how long they have been discussing Sue going to work for him as his most trusted and important adviser."
A well-placed ally of Mr Johnson said the committee's inquiry is "beyond a farce and totally lacks credibility", while Tory MP Mark Jenkinson called it a "total circus".
Labour dismissed claims that Ms Gray's move to Mr Starmer's office proved a plot to oust the former prime minister as "ludicrous".
Ms Gray’s scathing report into Covid lockdown parties declared Mr Johnson must "bear responsibility" over brazen No10 gatherings - eight of which he attended.
The long-awaited inquiry - packed with private WhatsApp messages and nine photos - ruled junior officials felt "permitted" to attend rule-breaking events that "should not have been allowed to happen" because "senior leaders" took part.
Due to senior civil servants' access to a range of sensitive information, Ms Gray’s appointment has been referred to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) - an official watchdog which provides advice to the Prime Minister.
A No10 official said the PM “is the ultimate decision maker in the case, but he would obviously take on board the recommendation of ACOBA”.
It is understood there is no official legal mechanism which could block Ms Gray from taking the position.
Recommendations may be made on the length of time that has to pass before it is appropriate for her to take up the position.
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