Sue Gray Report RECAP: Boris Johnson faces Parliament as Downing Street parties investigation findings made public

Boris Johnson defended himself against calls to resign in the House of Commons, after the long-awaited report on Downing Street parties during lockdown was published this afternoon.
Live coverage of the release of the Sue Gray report.Live coverage of the release of the Sue Gray report.
Live coverage of the release of the Sue Gray report.

Mr Johnson faced stern criticism from both opposition and backbench MPs for nearly two hours this afternoon, after Sue Gray's findings were published online.

Gray’s document was described as an ‘update’, as it lacked details due to the ongoing investigation into the parties by the Metropolitan Police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was told he was a "man without shame" by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, while SNP Westminister leader Ian Blackford accused him of having "wilfully misled" the House over the alleged parties.

Here is The Scotsman’s RECAP on the events of the day.

Sue Gray Report RECAP: Downing Street parties investigation findings made public

Several MPs have asked the Prime Minister to commit to publish the full version of the Sue Gray report after the Met police investigation is over. However, Mr Johnson declined to do so, and said: “At that stage I will take a decision as to what to publish.”

Ian Blackford is ordered to leave House of Commons after saying Boris Johnson 'misled Parliament'

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been ordered to leave the House of Commons for failing to withdraw claims against Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The order from Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came after Mr Blackford described the report by senior civil servant Sue Gray as “utterly damning”, claiming it was the “final nail in the coffin” against Johnson’s defence.

Boris Johnson promised a shake-up of No 10 after it emerged police are investigating at least 12 events across Government for Covid breaches including the Prime Minister’s birthday party and a gathering in his Downing Street flat.

The Prime Minister apologised on Monday and insisted “I get it and I will fix it” as he faced fresh calls to resign after Sue Gray’s limited inquiry criticised “failures of leadership and judgment”.

Police investigating Downing Street parties have been given more than 300 photos and 500 pieces of paper, Metropolitan Police Commander Catherine Roper said.