Sue Gray report into Downing Street parties finds 'serious failure to observe high standards' at No 10 – live
- 3.08pm GMT 15:08 Summary of key points from Sue Gray's report
- 2.44pm GMT 14:44 Gray admits report does not provide 'meaningful' account of partygate because of omissions requested by police
- 2.39pm GMT 14:39 Gray reveals 12 gatherings at No 10 and in Cabinet Office now being investigated by the police
- 2.32pm GMT 14:32 Staff who did have concerns about partygate felt unable to speak out, says Gray
- 2.29pm GMT 14:29 Gray finds 'serious failure to observe high standards' at No 10 and 'failures of leadership'
- 2.22pm GMT 14:22 Government publishes Sue Gray report
- 1.03pm GMT 13:03 Not publishing Sue Gray report in full after police inquiry would be 'disgraceful', says Ed Davey
From 2.29pm GMT
14:29
Gray finds 'serious failure to observe high standards' at No 10 and 'failures of leadership'And here are the most critical findings published under the heading “general findings”.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify.
At least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time.
At times it seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public. There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times. Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did.
The excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time. Steps must be taken to ensure that every government department has a clear and robust policy in place covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace.
Updated at 2.36pm GMT
3.28pm GMT 15:28
The FDA, the union representing senior civil servants, says the full Sue Gray report must be published eventually. In a statement, its general secretary, Dave Penman, said:
Whilst many in Westminster and beyond will be disappointed that there is a further delay in publishing the report, it is clearly the right decision for Sue Gray to make, given the restrictions imposed by the Metropolitan police.
There is significant public interest in Sue Gray’s investigation and the publication of any partial or redacted details would inevitably be criticised and raise further doubt about whether the full report would be published later. The prime minister must now commit to publishing the report in full as soon as he is able to do so.
The general findings will make uncomfortable reading for all of those in leadership positions in No.10, whether political or official. While no one can question their commitment and hard work when they led the country’s response to the pandemic, they were not alone, as hundreds of thousands of key workers in the public and private sector made extraordinary sacrifices throughout this time. Whatever led to a culture where they lost a sense of perspective has to be addressed quickly, as the report recommends.
3.26pm GMT 15:26
Here is my colleague Rowena Mason’s snap story about the Gray report.
3.24pm GMT 15:24
These are from the Today programme presenter Nick Robinson, a former BBC political editor.
3.22pm GMT 15:22
Labour’s Chris Bryant says the Sue Gray report, or “update” to give it its proper title, should trigger Boris Johnson’s resignation.
3.21pm GMT 15:21
The Telegraph’s Lucy Fisher highlights one of the previous Boris Johnson denials that the PM may find particularly hard to justify this afternoon.