Britons await report on ‘partygate’
Publication of the U.K. government’s investigation into pandemic parties in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office is due this week, after having been delayed last week when the London Metropolitan Police began its own inquiry into the alleged parties.
Because the police are investigating, officials have begun debating what can now be published and what should be withheld in the government’s own report.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray was commissioned by Johnson to look at allegations he and his staff broke lockdown rules with various gatherings in Downing Street.
The next stage of the long-running “partygate” saga is likely to hinge on Gray’s report. Johnson is expected to make a statement to Parliament soon after it is released, while many lawmakers in his ruling Conservative Party have said they will wait for it before determining whether they will mount a leadership challenge.