PM fails to explicitly commit to publishing partygate report in full

Boris Johnson has not explicitly committed to publishing the full report into lockdown parties in Downing Street and across Whitehall, as Westminster awaits the findings of the long-awaited inquiry.

Asked at PMQs by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer if he will release the entirety of Sue Gray’s report, the prime minister replied: “We’ve got to leave the report to the independent investigator, as he knows, of course when I receive it, of course, I will do exactly what I said.”

PM braces for release of ‘partygate’ report – politics live

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Questioning the PM, Sir Keir noted the ministerial code states that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament are expected to offer their resignation

“Does the prime minister believe that applies to him?”

Mr Johnson replied: “Of course, but let me tell the House that I think he is inviting a question about an investigation which is – as you know, Mr Speaker, I cannot comment – and which he, as a lawyer, will know that I can’t comment on.”

Sir Keir asked Mr Johnson whether, given he acknowledged the ministerial code applies to him, he would be resigning for misleading parliament over the partygate furore.

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“No,” the PM replied.

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‘Security issues’ with publishing report

Speaking to Kay Burley earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the government would release the “findings” from the Cabinet Office inquiry.

However, the foreign secretary said there could be “security issues” which mean parts of it are “problematic to publish”.

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Ms Truss also said Boris Johnson has her “100% support” as the prime minister faces calls, including from some of his Conservative MPs, to resign over the partygate revelations.

The foreign secretary said she did not attend any parties in Downing Street and was not invited to any.

The crisis engulfing the PM deepened on Tuesday when the Metropolitan Police announced it is investigating a “number of events” in Downing Street and across Whitehall for potential breaches of COVID-19 regulations.

Uncertainty over report’s publication

Expectations had been raised that Mr Johnson would address the Gray report’s findings in the Commons this lunchtime.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was understood that Number 10 would publish the report compiled around midday today and then the PM would make a statement in the Commons after PMQs.

But it is now believed the document will not be released for publication until later this afternoon at the earliest, with the chances of this being delayed until Thursday growing.

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Calls for full investigation to be made public

Opposition parties had voiced concern on Tuesday that, if published today, they would not be given sufficient time to read the document before any potential statement from the PM later in the day.

Sky News understands Ms Gray wants the report to be published in full and it will cover all the alleged events, not just those the police are not investigating.

Labour has called for the report to be published “in full” – with Sir Keir saying anything less would amount to a “cover-up”.

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The party’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the revelations had turned the UK into an “international laughing stock” and accused ministers of devising “ridiculous excuses”.

“I think it’s now for senior Conservative politicians, for the Conservative Party, to think whether they really want to continue to put the country through this. It’s time the prime minister just did the decent thing and resigned,” she told Sky News.

Met Police launch criminal investigation

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick announced the force was investigating “a number of events” for potential breaches of COVID-19 regulations.

Mr Johnson told the Commons yesterday he welcomed the probe and said it would “help draw a line under matters”.

The force has written to the Cabinet Office, formally requesting it refers all relevant information from its inquiry to help support the investigation. Sources have told Sky News this investigation will take “weeks, not days”.

Downing Street has said the PM is willing to be interviewed by police but does not believe he has broken the law.

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Photos of No 10 parties show PM next to wine bottles

Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg told Sky News that if Mr Johnson were to be interviewed under caution he would “clearly be a suspect” as he is suspected of committing a criminal offence.

Mr Johnson’s leadership has come under severe pressure amid the ongoing partygate scandal and he could face a vote of no confidence if more than 54 Conservative MPs submit letters of no confidence to the 1922 Committee of backbenchers.

Yesterday evening, it was understood that Ms Gray had received photographs showing Mr Johnson and others close together with wine bottles when COVID rules were in place as part of her investigation.

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