Met could launch probe if Gray finds ‘criminal’ evidence
POLICE could investigate lockdown parties in Downing Street if a Whitehall inquiry finds ‘significant evidence’ of law-breaking, Scotland Yard said last night.
The Met has faced criticism from opposition politicians for refusing to investigate claims multiple parties were held in No10 in breach of Covid laws in the last two years.
Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray is investigating the allegations, including the ‘bring your own booze’ party attended by Boris Johnson at the height of the first lockdown on May 20, 2020.
In a statement last night, Scotland Yard said it would only consider launching its own inquiry if Miss Gray uncovers evidence of potential criminal offences.
It said: ‘If significant evidence suggesting a breach of the regulations becomes available, officers may review and consider it.
‘The Cabinet Office is conducting an inquiry into gatherings at Number 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education.
‘The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this inquiry. If the inquiry identifies evidence of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration.’
The statement last night piled further pressure on Miss Gray, who is working to complete her inquiry into the events.
Several Tory MPs have privately warned they would expect Mr Johnson to resign if the report finds against him. However, ministers were last night growing increasingly confident Miss Gray would not directly criticise the PM for attending the events.
One Whitehall source said: ‘It sounds like she won’t land a killer blow on the PM. It isn’t going to be a total whitewash – there will be criticism of the culture in No10 and of the amount of drinking going on at work.
‘The PM is ultimately responsible for that culture that allowed rulebreaking to go on. But I would be very surprised if she suggests he has broken the rules himself.’
Another well-placed source said: ‘She will just lay out the facts – she’s not an executioner. In the end the arbiter will be the PM, although in this case I suspect it will be one for the court of public opinion to judge.’
However, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said Miss Gray was an ‘independent’ figure who was widely respected for her work. She told Sky News: ‘I know it’s not going to be a whitewash because a professional civil servant does not do that.’ Sources last night said Miss Gray’s report could be published by the end of next week.
However, one stressed the need for it to be comprehensive, adding: ‘The last thing we need is for Sue Gray to report and allegations of another party to leak out the next day.’ The results of Miss Gray’s inquiry will be presented to the PM. No10 could not say who, if anyone, would decide what sanctions he should face if criticised.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner suggested the inquiry could leave Mr Johnson acting as ‘judge and jury’ over his own conduct.
She said any matters relating to ministers uncovered in the investigation would be dealt with under the ministerial code – of which the PM is ultimately in charge.