SUE Gray’s report into the Partygate scandal attacks “a serious failure” to abide by the “standards expected of the entire British population” during the Covid pandemic.
The report noted that one individual was sick due to “excessive alcohol consumption” at the parties while there was a “minor altercation” between two others.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police concluded its own investigation into breaches of the Covid regulations in Downing Street last week, with the force issuing 126 fixed penalty notices.
Gray’s report says that “many will be dismayed that behaviour of this kind took place on this scale at the heart of government”.
Her report continues: “The public have a right to expect the very highest standards of behaviour in such places and clearly what happened fell well short of this.
“It is my firm belief, however, that these events did not reflect the prevailing culture in government and the civil service at the time…”
Gray states in her report that “the senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture”.
Ms Gray also says the conditions for Downing Street staff were not exceptional
“Tight knit groups of officials and advisers worked long hours under difficult conditions in buildings that could not be easily adapted as COVID secure workplaces,” her report states.
Are you a liar?
Boris Johnson held a press conference this afternoon following the publication of the report where he took questions from reports asked by ITV News simply: “Are you a liar?”
In response, he said: “No.”
Mr Johnson added: “Look at what I’ve said to parliament and look at what Sue has said about what took place and about my role in it.
“Okay, I was in the cabinet room for a short period standing up at my desk on 19 June 2020 and some people came in to congratulate me on my birthday.
“There weren’t very many of them, it didn’t occur to me then that this is a breach of the rules.
“Similarly when I was speaking to colleagues about the departure of another government adviser or official, it didn’t occur to me that this was anything other that it was my duty to do as prime minister in a pandemic.
“That’s why I did it.”
When asked by Sky News whether the PM ever considered resigning, points to a snap YouGov poll which says three in five Britons think he should.
“All I can say is I really think, given everything going on right now, it is my job to carry on and to deliver our manifesto commitments.”
The PM continues: “I overwhelmingly feel it is my duty to get on and deliver.”
“I hear you, I understand you,” he says, adding that his government must now “get on”.