The eagerly awaited clarification of the so-called Partygate affair about celebrations during the lockdown in Downing Street should also deal with gatherings in Boris Johnson’s own home. Official Sue Gray’s report will also include alleged parties at the prime minister’s home at 11 Downing Street next to his official residence, the Times reported on Sunday, citing inside sources. Close friends of Johnson’s wife Carrie are said to have been guests more often during lockdown times – officially for work reasons.
Doubts about justification for visits
According to the report, however, there are doubts about this representation because the friends mentioned did not work directly for Downing Street, but for the affiliated Cabinet Office. Johnson’s ex-adviser Dominic Cummings, who is now one of his harshest critics, had previously raised the accusation that unauthorized parties had also taken place in Johnson’s own apartment – not just in the office. So far, the prime minister has tried to make excuses, since he was not personally present at some of the parties and allegedly did not want others to be recognized as parties.
After the pressure on Johnson has increased in recent weeks due to a number of revelations, he is threatened with a vote of no confidence. Some Conservative MPs have already publicly called for the PM’s resignation. Others want to await the results of the official investigation.
Evaluated logs of electronic access cards
Officer Sue Gray, who, according to the Observer, plans to present a 25-page report on around ten different celebrations and gatherings in the next few days, has gained far-reaching insights for her investigations. For example, she was able to evaluate the logs of electronic access cards and thus see who went in and out of Downing Street and when. “This is proof of who was where and when, how many people were in the building at a certain time,” said a source close to the official to the “Observer” – a much harder proof than the previous, often anonymous statements by witnesses and those involved .
However, it is unclear how many of these details the public will learn. Justice Minister Dominic Raab promised “full transparency” in the BBC interview on Sunday, but did not want to commit to the extent to which the report would become public.
Johnson wants to ensure political survival
According to the Times, Boris Johnson, who wanted to phone his party from his country estate Checkers at the weekend, is said to have put together a special team of confidants over the past few days to ensure his political survival. These should act on MPs whose approval is considered particularly shaky. However, too much influence could also be dangerous for the Tories.
Because in addition to the Partygate affair, the allegations of attempts at blackmail by MPs continue. Politician Christian Wakeford, who defected from the Tory to the Labor party in protest, accused former Education Minister Gavin Williamson in the Times of having urged him to vote in Parliament in his favor. Williamson is said to have threatened that if he doesn’t do that, money for a new school in his constituency would be at stake. Another conservative MP even wants to go to the police in the next few days to testify about various attempts at extortion. (SDA)