BREAKING: Sue Gray's "update" on No 10 parties has been published... gov.uk/government/pub…
Sue Gray says she interviewed 70 individuals, some more than once, and saw emails, Whatsapp messages, texts photographs and building entry and exit logs.
Sue Gray says Met is looking at 12 of the 16 gatherings that she looked at.
But NOT wine & cheese meeting in garden (May 25, 2020), Cleo Watson's leaving do (Nov 27), DfE drinks (Dec 10 - which they've already admitted was wrong) and No 10 'virtual' festive quiz (Dec 15).
Gray says Met Police's demands means she's been unable to produce a meaningful report.
"I am extremely limited in what I can say about those events and it is not possible at present to provide a meaningful report setting out and analysing the extensive factual information".
Gray NOT accepting excuse that No 10 staff were working long hours/ in difficult conditions.
"Those challenges also applied to key and frontline workers across the country who were working under equally, if not more, demanding conditions, often at risk to their own health."
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LATEST: Downing Street is expecting to finally receive the Sue Gray report this morning - but with "minimal reference" to most serious claims about No 10 parties as per Met police request.
Boris Johnson is planning to then give a statement to Commons, in which I'm told he will apologise repeatedly and say he accepts her redacted findings in full.
Sources say he will tell MPs the Govt will "learn lessons" from row before announcing changes to his top team in No10.
Boris Johnson is also set to speak to Tory MPs and Cabinet members to shore up support - before pressing on with busy week on Brexit/ Ukraine/ Levelling Up as he tries to move on. mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
NEW: Met Police issues statement saying they want “minimal reference” to No 10 parties they’re investigating in Sue Gray’s report - explains why it still hasn’t been published.
Sue Gray facing a quandary - does she go ahead and publish incomplete report w/o details of most serious potential breaches, but which could still have HR consequences, and risk it being branded whitewash, or does she put whole thing off until after police investigation complete?
The Met talk of prejudicing their “investigation”, rather than any trial, because the alleged crimes would only ever be punished by a fixed penalty notice.
NEW: Boris Johnson’s spox says the PM will “cooperate fully” with Met if they ask to interview him.
He “fully acknowledges” public anger but calls for police to get “time and space”.
“It will provide the public with welcome clarity and help draw a line under these events”.
No 10 says it is “fair to say the PM does not” believe he has broken the law with lockdown parties - but won’t comment further.
Downing Street appears to suggest that Sue Gray can report the bits of her inquiry that aren’t being looked at by police whenever she likes - but hold back the rest. Sounds complicated.
BREAKING: Boris Johnson had a surprise birthday party during first lockdown with wife Carrie inviting up to 30 people to Cabinet Room bash - despite rules banning indoor social gatherings. Another cracking @PaulBrandITV scoop
“A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the Cabinet Room after a meeting to wish PM a happy birthday. He was there for less than 10 minutes.”
Yet interior designer Lulu Lytle - not No 10 staff - was invited.
No 10 denies there was a family gathering in the PM's flat later that evening - saying it was in garden instead.
I remember the day well... as it's also my birthday. I dragged a few mates to the park for bday cake and a glass of fizz 🥳
PM's private sec Martin Reynolds wrote: "Hi all. After what has been an incredibly busy period it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!"
At the time, the rest of England was banned from outdoor gatherings.
Just an hour before the event Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said: "You can meet one person outside of your household in an outdoor, public place provided that you stay two metres apart".