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The publication of an official report at Downing Street parties that took place during the closure of coronaviruses is concerned with concerns that it could disrupt police investigations, according to Whitehall officials.
The parties were investigated at the request of Boris Johnson, Prime Minister Sue Gray, a Whitehall civil servant, who completed his duties earlier this week.
But Gray did not send his report to Downing Street, and a Whitehall official said Tuesday’s announcement by Metropolitan police investigating Whitehall parties that took place on the Covid-19 ban disrupted a “major operation”.
Officials in the state said the Met investigation was the cause of the delay in publishing the Gray report, due to concerns that it could disrupt police operations. The Met declined to comment.
Staff and other Conservative councilors have expressed fears that the report, which is expected to review meetings attended by the Prime Minister during the closing period, could be dropped.
Johnson on Thursday said Gray’s report was published “sufficient”, adding that he “did not” want to delay the publication.
The report is expected to be released on Wednesday, but government experts say the deadline could be reduced to Monday or next week.
Gray is keen to have his report fully published, with as little information as edited as possible, according to his colleagues.
“The timing of the submission to Downing Street will be determined by the time it is determined that the report is ready to go, not whether it will be beneficial or bad for the PM,” said a colleague. “We want this to happen as quickly as possible.”
Johnson admitted to attending a “bring your own beer” ceremony at Downing Street in May 2020, during the first shutdown in England, but said he thought it was a chore. He also held a birthday party in June 2020 on Downing Street.
Number 10 could not say when the Gray report would be published. “We don’t have it and we didn’t know when it would come,” said a Downing Street official.
Sir Keir Starmer, Labor leader, said the Gray report should be published in full, adding that the party should review parliamentary policies to ensure that the entire document is made public.
“We will do our best to ensure that the report is completed,” he added.
Mark Harper, a former Conservative whip and anti-Johnson activist, said: “The report should be widely disseminated. Attempts to conceal or suppress the most important things can be wrong.” His comments on Twitter were approved by former Tory Prime Minister Steve Baker.
Meanwhile, ministers who participated in Johnson’s successful campaign in 2019 to become a Conservative leader have used the delay in publishing a Gray report in an attempt to support him among Tory MPs.
The ministers include Northern Irish Prime Minister Conor Burns, Grant Shapps travel secretary, and Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris, and he tells Conservative advisers that Johnson is keen to fight for his job.
“If you think Boris is about to leave, think again,” said one of Johnson’s colleagues, explaining the message to the MP. “If you have a lucky look, they don’t go anywhere.”
Johnson’s aides hope a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister after the Gray report could be avoided.
A total of 54 Tory MPs should send letters requesting such a vote to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 backbench Conservatives committee, for this to happen. “We are not close to 54 letters anywhere,” said one Johnson supporter.
Aide to the Prime Minister has asked councilors to “give him a seat” to resume his heavily criticized job on Downing Street.
Additional reports by Robert Wright in London
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