When journalist Julian Glover began working as a reporter for Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011, he was invited to a room above the prime minister’s office at 70 Whitehall. In the center of Britain’s nerve endings, a young, persistent woman asked if she had any arguments.
Glover replied that he was writing a history book about architect Thomas Telford, who died in 1834. Sue Gray was deeply troubled by this idea, but thinking that it would not interfere with the work of the government, he said: “Well, but have an opening party at Downing Street. “
Ten years later, the most experienced judge in the state of affairs also had parties in his mind. Gray is investigating a series of closing meetings on Downing Street that violated Covid’s bans. The findings of his report, which is due to be published next week, have the potential to remove Boris Johnson from office.
On top of the Gray investigation is the May 202020 conference, which the Prime Minister attended. Johnson claims it was his senior aide, Dominic Cummings, that he knew about the party in advance – which the No. 10 strongly opposes. Gray will have to decide what he wants to do to decide who is to blame and, in particular, if Johnson has lied.
By the end of this week, Westminster is pushing for confirmation. Johnson is facing terrorists in his Conservative party for being rude and for saying he did not know about the parties that house him. His attendants try to calm down by saying, “Wait a minute.”
Gray was not the first to choose Johnson as a researcher. As reports began to emerge from illegal meetings, Johnson asked Simon Case, the head of the federal government, to obtain the file. Within days the Case was he was forced to renounce himself after a meeting in his revealed office. Downing Street had nothing to do but turn to Gray, which many see as an impartial way.
Partygate’s question is being kept confidential: no one knows who Gray is talking about, when the report will be published or how it will be taken. A former personal counselor summarized his role as “a true reflection of deep-seated status”.
Gray’s story is one of the most talked about stories. His job at public service includes health care, employment and pensions, and transportation. She took a retirement in the 1980s to become a homeowner in Newry, Northern Ireland, the IRA’s refugee camp at the heart of the Crisis, and her husband Bill, a country singer. Finally, he took on a limited role as permanent secretary to the promotional department, districts and governments.
But his reputation became known during his tenure as cabinet minister and ethics in the cabinet from 2012 to 2018. As senior secretary general of the secretary general Jeremy Heywood, he was. written by the BBC “the most powerful man you have ever heard.” Former Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister Oliver Letwin wrote in his book: “Our vast United Kingdom is now run by a woman named Sue Gray. . . unless they agree, things will not work out ”.
As ethics officer, Gray decided everything from pay to the conditions of special counselors to publish memoirs. Whitehall was sued by political parties for questioning: the Damian Green and Liam Fox-led crimes both led to his removal from office.
His friends paint a picture of the strongest and most talented mandarin. “She’s a wonderful person, someone who always gives answers,” says one. Someone calls his style “unscrupulous without being oppressive”. But critics say he is too secretive. “Obviously the adults are afraid of him,” said an interior minister. “Everyone knows they can be metal.”
There is a soft Gray side. Another fan calls him a karaoke player and says he loves cats, adding that he was responsible for introducing people who shoot rats Evie and Ozzie at the Cabinet Office. One of his colleagues explains that his success lies in his flexibility: “He can be a very secretive person, talk openly with government officials, and then suddenly change his mind and get angry. [special adviser]. ” Andrew Mitchell, a former Tory prime minister, praised his conduct with his company, saying: “In my brief acquaintance with him, he is a man of integrity.”
When the recent Gray inquiry was reviewed by the prime minister, the results of the inquiry will be in the public domain – especially if they see that it is not possible to link Johnson’s accounts to the May 2020 party with what others have said.
Legally, it is a difficult moment. Catherine Haddon, director of the Institute for Government think-tank, says it was a mistake to ask Gray this question to government officials because of the scale of their findings. “The problem is that it has turned into people’s questions,” he said. “We are awaiting his decision on the outcome of the parties.
Some of the reports are obvious: Gray is expected to criticize the drinking culture on Downing Street and the serious failure of public administration. But interest is focused on what he says about Johnson. Those working with Gray on the issue say they are “well aware” of the action: simply go to the prime minister and they will be charged with whitewash; go hard and government officials can be accused by others of removing a democratically elected minister.
Each word of his research will be well read. Downing Street is getting worse, with one Conservative official saying: “Boris is worried about Sue.” As Steve Baker, a well-known Tory MP, also said this week, could be a “checkmate”. The Prime Minister could not expect any special treatment, adding another former prime minister: “I know that Boris will represent whatever he does not like.”
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