Sue Gray’s report into Covid lockdown-busting parties at Downing Street has been published.
It comes after a heavily redacted version was released in January as the Metropolitan Police carried out its investigations into Partygate.
The full report gives the clearest picture so far of events which led to widespread public anger.
It is 37 pages long and is backed up by nine photos of Partygate incidents, some of which show Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak present.
The photos focus on two events; a gathering in the cabinet room on Mr Johnson’s birthday, and a gathering in No 10 to mark the departure of special adviser Lee Cain.
On 19 June 2020, a group of people, including cabinet secretary Mr Case, Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak, met to wish the prime minister a happy birthday, according to Ms Gray’s report.
The report said: “Food, alcohol and soft drinks were provided, having been organised in advance that morning. The event lasted around 20-30 minutes.”
No 10 special adviser Cleo Watson told Ms Gray’s investigation that she had been asked to organise the event. In messages to principal private secretary to the prime minister Martin Reynolds, Ms Watson said: “Hi! PM birthday today – we’ve organised some sandwiches and cake for about 1pm in the Cabinet Room if anyone from your team would like to pop in.”
Ms Gray’s report concluded that Mr Johnson “was not aware of this event in advance.” She added that “the chancellor was also there briefly having also arrived early for the same meeting. He had no advance knowledge about what had been planned.”
The prime minister and chancellor both received Met Police fines for this event.
On 13 November 2020, a gathering took place at No 10 Downing Street in honour of the then director of communications Lee Cain. In several of the photographs from the event, the prime minister appeared to be making a speech and raising a toast to his colleagues.
The table in front of Mr Johnson was laden with four bottles of wine, half a bottle of gin and two bottles of champagne or cava.
Ms Gray’s report said that “the investigation was information that [this event] was not pre-planned”. She added: “It did occur at around the time that ‘Wine Time Friday’ would normally be taking place. The prime minister attended on his way to his Downing Street flat, having left his office at 19:17.
“He went to the press office area, joined the gathering and made a leaving speech for Lee Cain. Wine had been provided and those attending, including the prime minister, were drinking alcohol.”
