Gray areas What power does her report hold?

Q Will Sue Gray’s report take or recommend action against individuals?

A Ms Gray has the ability to recommend disciplinary action on individuals, but it will be up to the line managers of those recommended and not Ms Gray. Any disciplinary action taken against special advisers will be decided by Boris Johnson. Any specific HR action will not be published in the report.

Q Can it recommend or take action against the Prime Minister?

A The report will set out if Mr Johnson was involved in any of the events, such as if he attended or was aware they were happening. She will also have the remit to make judgments and critiques about his role.

Q Can Ms Gray say if Mr Johnson broke the ministerial code?

A According to the Institute for Government, while Ms Gray could rule whether Mr Johnson broke the ministerial code, she is unlikely to. Instead, it is more likely she would provide sufficient evidence about what Mr Johnson knew, or should have known. It is also possible that she suggests Lord Geidt, the Prime Minister’s adviser on ministerial interests, look into his behaviour. Mr Johnson would then be under pressure for Lord Geidt to conduct an inquiry.

Q Will MPS get to respond?

A After the publication MPS will have the chance to question Mr Johnson. It will likely be a statement to the house followed by questions. After publication MPS are expected to launch an investigation into whether his previous statements deliberately misled the house.

Q : When will the report be published?

A : Her report is expected to be published in the middle of this week.

Q : Will those who attended the parties be named?

A : While the Government has pledged to publish Ms Gray’s report in full, it is not clear how far she will name individuals, or whether she will include some of the evidence on which her report is based, including hundreds of photographs. Ms Gray does not intend to name junior civil servants.