File. Boris Johnson
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File. Boris Johnson
(PA Wire)
A cabinet minister has refused to say if No 10 called a controversial “secret meeting” with Sue Gray about her Partygate investigation or what was discussed.
Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, ducked multiple questions about who requested the talks, which have prompted the Liberal Democrats to raise fears that the “independent” investigation will be “a stitch-up”.
Boris Johnson is among dozens of Downing Street figures who have been warned they will be named in Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into the Partygate scandal.
And top civil servant Simon Case is expected to be among the hardest-hit by the report despite not being fined by police over the scandal, it has been reported. The Telegraph cited a source as saying Mr Case will come in for “stinging criticism” in the Gray report. “As the head of the civil service, the ultimate responsibility was his,” they added.
Reports have also suggested the document, expected to be published in the coming days, will feature photographs of illegal gatherings.
Recommended UK ‘unprepared’ for soaring food prices and shortages, says head of government advisory body Partygate: Full timeline of government gatherings and Covid fines Partygate is a reminder that the government must work with the civil service – not against it Boris Johnson’s father is now a French citizen – how nice for him
Key Points Simon Case to face ‘stinging criticism in Sue Gray report’ Partygate is a reminder that the government must work with the civil service – not against it Boris Johnson ‘must urgently explain’ why he met Sue Gray to discuss her Partygate report Minister refuses to say if No 10 called ‘secret meeting’ with Sue Gray
Show latest update 1653286623 Anticipation over Sue Gray report heightens amid clamour over 'secret meeting'
Sue Gray’s report into the Partygate scandal is finally set to be published this week, as the prime minister faces mounting calls to explain his “secret meeting” with the senior civil servant.
It has been reported that top civil servant Simon Case will be hit hard by the damning report expected to be published in the next few days.
The Sue Gray report is said to feature photographs of the illegal parties in Downing Street, including those attended by Boris Johnson, during the lockdown.
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 07:17
1653285663 Local Conservative candidate's tweet causes outrage
On Saturday a post on the Twitter account of Jonty Campbell — a Conservative local election candidate from Preston — said: “Here’s the thing with girls 22 or under, they smell massively different to a girl of 28. Girls aged 16 to, say 23, have this buttery, creamy, slightly sweet smell that is unbelievably magnetic.”
The post received massive criticism online and led to a number of expressions of outrage against Mr Campbell.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, an author and women’s rights activist, responded: “What did I just FREAKING read? Where do you begin to deconstruct this evil. It’s the mindset of misogyny/violence against women personified. What a sick disgusting perversion about young women. Jonty Campbell is who @Conservatives have as candidate? What a pervert! @CmdrJonty”
Mr Campbell’s account was later set to private after the outrage.
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 07:01
1653285108 Prince William to appear on ￡5 coin to mark his 40th birthday
Prince William’s 40th birthday will be celebrated with a ￡5 coin featuring his portrait, it was reported.
The Royal Mint said that the UK’s official coin producer has unveiled the coin ahead of William’s birthday on 21 June.
It is the first time the duke — who is second in line to the throne — will appear alone on an official coin.
The coin features his portrait set amid his royal cypher – his initial W – and the number 40.
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 06:51
1653284727 Sue Gray denies calling meeting with No 10
Sue Gray has denied requesting a meeting with No 10 to discuss her report into the Partygate scandal.
A spokesperson for Ms Gray was quoted by Sky News as saying that she “did not initiate the meeting” and rubbished reports claiming that the Partygate photos were discussed during the talks.
However, a No 10 source told the Evening Standard that “the PM did not request the meeting and hasn’t tried to influence the outcome in anyway. It’s rightly for Sue to decide and it’s all done independently.”
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 06:45
1653284034 Boris Johnson ‘backs former Met Police chief to take charge of National Crime Agency’
According to reports, Boris Johnson is set to back the former head of the Metropolitan Police to take charge of the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Lord Hogan-Howe could become the director-general of NCA, the Sunday Times reported — despite failing to make it into the final round of candidates.
Following interviews with home secretary Priti Patel, two highly qualified police chiefs have already been rejected for the role.
Now, the newspaper reported, Mr Johnson wants the 64-year-old Hogan-Howe to lead the agency.
Hogan-Howe was chief of the Met Police from 2011 to 2017.
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 06:33
1653282739 Simon Case to face ‘stinging criticism in Sue Gray report’
Top civil servant Simon Case is expected to be hard-hit by the long-awaited Sue Gray Partygate report despite not being fined over the scandal, it has been reported.
Reports have also suggested the document, expected to be published in the coming days, will feature photographs of illegal gatherings.
Read the full story here:
Simon Case to face ‘stinging criticism in Sue Gray Partygate report’ Reports have suggested the document, which is expected to be published in the coming days, will feature photographs of illegal parties
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 06:12
1653282195 Partygate is a reminder that the government must work with the civil service – not against it
Whether or not the meeting between the prime minister and Sue Gray was appropriate, the whole episode is an indication of a wider dysfunctional relationship.
Read the Independent editorial here:
Editorial: Partygate is a reminder that the government must work with civil servants Editorial: Whether or not the meeting between the prime minister and Sue Gray was appropriate, the whole episode is an indication of a wider dysfunctional relationship
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 06:03
1653281727 Boris Johnson ‘must urgently explain’ why he met Sue Gray to discuss her Partygate report
Boris Johnson is under pressure to explain why he met with Sue Gray to discuss her report into the Partygate scandal, which is due within days.
Labour warned the “secret meeting” could further damage confidence in the investigation of the scandal, while the Liberal Democrats raised fears of “a stitch up”.
Read the full story by Independent’s deputy political editor, Rob Merrick here:
PM ‘must explain’ why he met Sue Gray to discuss her Partygate report Meeting thought to have discussed whether up to 300 photos given to police should be released
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 05:55
1653281370 Minister refuses to say if No 10 called ‘secret meeting’ with Sue Gray
A cabinet minister evaded multiple questions about whether No 10 had a “secret meeting” with Sue Gray over her Partygate investigation.
Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, refused to divulge any details and ducked several questions by reporters about who requested the talks.
Read the full story here:
Minister refuses to say if No 10 called ‘secret’ Partygate meeting with Sue Gray ‘The prime minister does not, did not, and would never, intervene in this report’, Nadhim Zahawi insists
Maroosha Muzaffar 23 May 2022 05:49