Prime Minister Boris Johnson could face a £10,000 fine over the partygate scandal as police move to question those involved in the rule-breaking events.
25.01.2022 - 23:37 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The findings of Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged coronavirus rule-breaking across Downing Street and Whitehall are expected to finally be released this week.
The senior civil servant is looking into a series of allegations suggesting that the prime minister and his aides attended parties in breach of regulations put in place to stop the spread of the virus throughout the pandemic.
Mr Johnson has admitted to attending a Downing Street garden party, which he insists he thought was a work event, and a surprise birthday party put on for him in the Cabinet Office, which he only attended "for less than 10 minutes", according to No 10.
But he has so far refused to be drawn on the details of the allegations, insisting that the findings of Ms Gray's report should not be pre-empted.
On Tuesday, he welcomed the news that the Met Police had launched an investigation into potential breaches of coronavirus laws at a “number of events” in Downing Street and Whitehall, saying that he hopes the investigations help to 'draw a line under the matter'.
However, the criminal investigation threatened to derail the publication of Ms Gray's report as No 10 suggested the inquiry would be unable to look into events that were part of the police probe.
It was suggested that the full report may be delayed, or only published in part while the police investigation was carried out.
It is now understood that Scotland Yard has given the green light for publication, which could not come as soon as Wednesday.
Here, we look at what the Sue Gray inquiry involves and when her report could be released to the public.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray found herself thrust into the limelight when she was chosen to step in to lead the investigation.
Ms Gray, a former
Prime Minister Boris Johnson could face a £10,000 fine over the partygate scandal as police move to question those involved in the rule-breaking events.
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