Partygate probe: Now Mr Case is off the case
Top civil servant running inquiry is forced to hand over reins... after it emerges HE spoke briefly at his own staff’s office Covid Xmas do
BRITAIN’S top civil servant stood down from leading the investigation into Downing Street parties last night as the affair descended into farce. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case was replaced last night after it emerged a gathering had been held in his own office. Sue Gray, second permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, will take over, No 10 said last night. She will look at claims that around a dozen lockdownbusting events took place in Whitehall, mostly in the run-up to last Christmas. At the centre of the probe is the allegation that officials in No 10 had held a boozy festive bash on December 18, which included a ‘Secret Santa’. But yesterday it was revealed that staff in Mr Case’s private office had taken part in a festive quiz the day before. Calendar invitations sent by email for the event on December 17 described it as a ‘Christmas party’, but a Cabinet Office source last night insisted it was ‘absolutely not a party’. Six people who had been working in the department took part in a virtual quiz from their desks, while a further six joined in from home. Those in the office enjoyed drinks and snacks. The
‘An independent arbitrator’
source said Mr Case was not involved in the organisation of the event and did not take part, but he was aware it was happening because he had walked past. As he left for the day, the Cabinet Secretary addressed those present for a couple of minutes to thank them for their work. It is understood the event beginning at 5.30pm only lasted an hour. The Prime Minister ordered an inquiry ten days ago after a video emerged of Downing Street staff joking about a rule-breaking party. In a bid to defuse public rage, Mr Johnson told the Commons he shared the anger over the clip of Allegra Stratton, who later resigned as his spokesman. The PM asked Mr Case to ‘establish all the facts’ about the event on December 18 – and warned those involved that if ‘rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action’. At the time No 10 insisted it would be an ‘independent fact-finding mission’ and told reporters ‘you can be assured that due diligence has been followed’ when questions were raised about whether the Cabinet Secretary had attended the party in Downing Street. The probe had since been widened to include other events such as a No 10 virtual Christmas quiz, a leaving do for a Downing Street aide and a festive bash in the Department for Education. The SNP’s Westminster leader yesterday demanded a judge-led inquiry into the Christmas party allegations. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ian Blackford wrote: ‘It is vital there be an inquiry led by an independent arbitrator – someone who owes the UK Government nothing.’
The removal of Mr Case will disappoint ministers who had hoped that he would report back within days, clearing those involved.
Earlier yesterday, Tory chairman Oliver Dowden said he was confident the inquiry into alleged Covid rulebusting parties would support Mr Johnson’s assertion that no restrictions were breached.
He told Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I have to say to you that there is an ongoing inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary
and I’m confident that that inquiry will vindicate the Prime Minister’s assertion that everything that happened was within the rules.’
Mr Case was appointed as the youngest Cabinet Secretary in more than a century last year. The 42-yearold had previously worked as the Prince William’s private secretary.
Last night a No10 spokesman said: ‘To ensure the ongoing investigation retains public confidence, the Cabinet Secretary has recused himself for the remainder of the process.
‘The work will be concluded by Sue Gray, second permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. She will ascertain the facts and present her findings to the Prime Minister.’