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Boris Johnson accused of lying to MPs over images showing him drinking at leaving do
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of voters think that Boris Johnson should quit if he is criticised in Sue Gray’s report on the Partygate scandal that has rocked Westminster.
The findings, in an exclusive Savanta poll for The Independent also reveal that more than a quarter of those who backed the Tories in 2019 said they were less likely to do so again if Mr Johnson stays on as leader.
The polling comes on the same day Downing Street insiders described chaotic mid-lockdown parties dubbed “Wine-Time Fridays” where bins would overflow with empty bottles of alcohol and No10 would be left a “mess”.
Speaking to BBC Panorama three individuals described gatherings they felt were condoned by the prime minister as he was “grabbing a glass for himself”.
The current and former staffers said the culture was set by Mr Johnson himself, claiming he “wanted to be liked” and for staff to be able to “let their hair down”.
The damaging details follow the publication of a leaked photograph showing Mr Johnson raising a glass at a leaving drinks event for his former spin doctor at the height of England’s second lockdown.
Recommended ‘We watched in disbelief’: No 10 insiders describe being baffled at Boris Johnson’s denial of parties What are the rules about lying to parliament? Downing Street parties timeline as full report expected to be published Sue Gray: The cat-loving former pub landlady behind the No 10 parties inquiry Government ‘planning windfall tax on energy companies to ease cost-of-living crisis’
Key Points Two-thirds of voters want Johnson to go if report slams him over Partygate Exclusive: No 10 preparing for resignation of top civil servant over Partygate report No 10 insiders say PM would ‘grab a glass’ at Partygate events No 10 denies Johnson suggested Partygate finding should not be published Sadiq Khan urges Met Police to ‘explain’ why PM wasn’t fined over leaving event No 10 ‘made the first move’ over Sue Gray meeting with Boris Johnson UK most likely to say government ignores rules – international study
Show latest update 1653455149 No 10 prepares for Sue Gray report to be published
No 10 is bracing for the publication of Sue Gray’s full report into Downing Street parties in Whitehall during the coronavirus lockdown.
The senior civil servant’s report is expected to be heavily critical of the culture in No 10, which led to the repeated violations of Covid restrictions.
Potentially damaging further details, including the names of some of those who attended gatherings, are also due to be published.
Read here for more details:
No 10 prepares for Sue Gray report to be published The report is expected to be heavily critical of the culture in No 10 and contain names of some of those who attended gatherings.
Stuti Mishra 25 May 2022 06:05
1653453649 UK most likely to say government ignores rules – international study
People in the UK have a far more negative perception of government rule-following than other European countries, according to a six-country study published by King’s College London, amid ‘Partygate’.
The EU-funded study found that 62 per cent of people in the UK think their government ignores rules and procedures, compared with an average of 44 per cent.
The difference between the UK and the next highest, Poland, is also big, with only 50 per cent of people there believing the Polish government – which has been accused of authoritarianism – ignores rules.
The results, published on Wednesday, came as Boris Johnson is under fresh pressure to resign after a new photo shows him drinking fizz and toasting colleagues at a Downing Street gathering during the lockdown. Mr Johnson previously told the House of Commons that there was no party on the night in question.
Stuti Mishra 25 May 2022 05:40
1653452111 Government ‘planning windfall tax on energy companies to ease cost-of-living crisis’
The Treasury is understood to be finalising plans for a new windfall tax on energy firms that would be used to help those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Boris Johnson is reportedly poised to announce a multibillion-pound package of measures to alleviate some of the pressures facing households across the country, who are being hit with the soaring cost of energy and food.
Tom Batchelor has more details:
Government ‘planning windfall tax on energy companies to ease cost-of-living crisis’ Move comes as pressure grows on ministers to act and PM faces anger over Partygate
Stuti Mishra 25 May 2022 05:15
1653450611 Exclusive: No 10 preparing for resignation of top civil servant over Partygate report
Downing Street has prepared a response in anticipation of the resignation of top civil servant Simon Case over Sue Gray’s report into Partygate.
The planning document, seen by The Independent, comes despite the findings from Ms Gray’s report into lockdown-busting parties across Whitehall and Westminster not yet having been made public. The findings are also not meant to have been shared with No 10 at this stage.
The drafted letter notes Mr Case’s contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. It also notes he took on the role from Sir Mark Sedwill in September 2020, when the country was in the midst of facing Covid, its greatest challenge since the Second World War.
Anna Isaac reports.
No 10 preparing for resignation of top civil servant over Partygate report Exclusive: Downing Street anticipating departure of senior staffer who reports suggest could be Partygate scapegoat
Stuti Mishra 25 May 2022 04:50
1653449238 Politics Explained: What are the rules about lying to parliament?
The ministerial code says: “Ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the prime minister.” If they are the prime minister, the implication must be that they should offer their resignation to the Queen – who, because she doesn’t interfere in politics, would have to accept it.
But who gets to decide whether Boris Johnson has fallen foul of this long-standing constitutional convention? In the end, it is a decision of raw politics, made by the House of Commons as a whole, writes John Rentoul.
Read more:
Politics Explained: What are the rules about lying to parliament? ‘Knowingly misleading parliament’ – as the ministerial code states – is a high bar because MPs have to make a decision about state of mind, writes John Rentoul
Stuti Mishra 25 May 2022 04:27
1653444000 Ex-cabinet minister urges government to pause over Troubles amnesty plans
A former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has urged his own government to “pause” over controversial plans to create an effective amnesty for terrorists.
Julian Smith also said he was “deeply uncomfortable” with the idea of voting for the proposed legislation, although he said he acknowledged there was no easy way forward.
Ministers believe the plans, first unveiled in the Queen’s Speech earlier this month, will allow them to keep their pledge to protect ex-soldiers from possible prosecutions.
Kate Devlin reports.
Ex-cabinet minister urges government to pause over Troubles amnesty plans Julian Smith says he is ‘deeply uncomfortable’ with proposed legislation
Joe Middleton 25 May 2022 03:00
1653442200 Two-thirds of voters want Johnson to go if report slams him over Partygate
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of voters believe Boris Johnson should resign if he is heavily criticised in Sue Gray’s report on the Partygate scandal, which could be released as early as Wednesday.
And in findings which will trouble Conservative MPs anxious about holding on to their seats in the next general election, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of those who backed the Tories in 2019 said they were less likely to do so again if Mr Johnson stays on as leader.
The figures were scarcely reduced from the height of the Partygate furore in January, and suggested that Mr Johnson has earned little credit from voters for escaping with only one ￡50 fine from the Metropolitan Police inquiry.
Andrew Woodcock reports.
Two-thirds of voters want Johnson to go if report slams him over Partygate Exclusive: Downing Street braced for long-awaited report on lockdown breaches at No 10
Joe Middleton 25 May 2022 02:30
1653440400 It’s the anniversary of Section 28 – so what’s changed for LGBT+ people in Britain?
In 2015, the UK was ranked as the best country in Europe for LGBT+ rights – now, it sits in 14th place, writes Harry Readhead.
Opinion: On the anniversary of Section 28, what’s changed for LGBT+ people? In 2015, the UK was ranked as the best country in Europe for LGBT+ rights – now, it sits in 14th place
Joe Middleton 25 May 2022 02:00
1653438600 Tory MP slams his colleagues for defending 'indefensible' Boris Johnson
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Tory MP slams his colleagues for defending 'indefensible' Boris Johnson
Joe Middleton 25 May 2022 01:30
1653436800 No10 plans energy bill help in bid to deflect Partygate anger
No 10 is poised to unveil measures aimed at easing the cost of living crisis in order to offset public anger over the Sue Gray Partygate report.
The communications grid — the planning document used by government spin doctors — includes an extension to the warm homes discount.
An announcement on the measure, which could come later this week, is expected to be worth hundreds of pounds to some households.
Anna Isaac and Andrew Woodcock report.
Downing Street to reveal cost of living measures in bid to deflect Partygate anger Warm Homes Discount announcement ‘held back to give prime minister a soft landing’
Joe Middleton 25 May 2022 01:00
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