File. Boris Johnson
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File. Boris Johnson
(PA Wire)
A minister has condemned briefings which claim the senior civil servant Sue Gray is “playing politics” in the handling of the publication of her long-awaited report into rule-busting parties in No 10.
Boris Johnson and his top team are braced for the publication of the report, which will reportedly contain photographs of some of the events held during Covid regulations.
But amid a row over whether Ms Gray or No 10 instigated what has been described as a “secret meeting” to discuss the report, the prime minister’s “allies” have accused the civil servant of playing politics.
Appearing on Sky News, the chief secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke said he condemned the briefing, claiming: “By repute she’s one of the most fiercely independent and professional civil servants in the whole of government. I don’t think there’s any politics”.
The prime minister is among dozens of Downing Street figures who have been warned they will be named in the report.
Top civil servant Simon Case could reportedly be among the hardest-hit by the document despite not being fined by police.
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 Minister condemns PM’s ‘allies’ briefing against Sue Gray Sue Gray Partygate report ‘contains photos’ 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 1653297153 Cost of living: Your questions answered on inflation, energy bills and food prices
Our business correspondent Ben Chapman will be answering your questions about the cost-of-living crisis at 1pm today.
To take part, register, then post your questions in the comments section of the article below and he will answer as many as possible:
Ask me anything on the cost of living crisis What is really causing this situation, how has it been allowed to happen and what can be done to alleviate it in the short term? Ben Chapman answers your questions
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 10:12
1653296139 Boris Johnson was fined for ‘eating slice of cake between meetings’, minister argues
Boris Johnson was given a fixed-penalty notice by the Metropolitan Police for eating a "slice of cake between meetings", a minister has argued.
Simon Clarke, chief secretary to the Treasury, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I do have confidence (in Boris Johnson) because the prime minister has apologised and I know very sincerely regrets what happened.
"It is important to contextualise.
"He had a fine for a slice of cake between meetings."
Mr Clarke said there were "extraordinary pressures being applied" to No 10 during the Covid pandemic, with people "working on questions of literally life and death" and operating under "exhausting strain".
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 09:55
1653295557 Tories launch investigation after candidate says 16-year-old girls ‘have buttery, creamy smell’
A local Conservative party is investigating a tweet from the account of a candidate in the local elections which said 16-year-old girls have a “buttery, creamy” smell, The Independent can reveal.
A post on the Twitter account of Jonty Campbell, who has stood several times for Preston Conservatives in council elections, 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.”
Tories launch investigation after candidate’s account tweets about teen girls A local Conservative party is investigating a tweet from the account of a candidate in the local elections which said 16-year-old girls have a “buttery, creamy” smell, The Independent can reveal.
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 09:45
1653294017 Government ‘not going to rush into’ decision over windfall tax
The UK government is "not going to rush into action" on making a decision over a possible windfall tax, a minister has said.
Asked when Rishi Sunak might decide on the fiscal policy, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "That is a question for the Chancellor.
"We obviously recognise that we are in a situation which is fast developing and we want to make sure that we are supporting people ahead of what will likely be a challenging autumn and winter ahead.
"I'm not going to set a specific timetable for that, but the Chancellor is clear that we are looking at the situation with real urgency and intent.
"And it is against this backdrop that people can be reassured that the government is on the case.
"We are not going to rush into action, but at the same time nor are we going to sit here and not provide the support that is needed given the severity of the situation."
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 09:20
1653292997 Minister condemns briefings Sue Gray is ‘playing politics’ over handling of report
A minister has condemned briefings which claim the senior civil servant Sue Gray is “playing politics” in the handling of the publication of her long-awaited reporting into rule-busting parties in No 10.
It comes as Boris Johnson and his top team braces for the publication of the Whitehall mandarin’s internal report, which will reportedly contain photographs of some of the events held during Covid regulations.
Political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has more on this:
Minister condemns briefings Sue Gray is ‘playing politics’ over handling of report Angela Rayner calls reports ‘desperate efforts to discredit’ the senior civil servant
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 09:03
1653292277 Minister rules out restoring ￡20-per-week universal credit uplift
A Treasury minister has ruled out restoring the ￡20-per-week uplift to universal credit as a measure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Despite calls from senior Tory MPs, Simon Clarke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “That is not going to return.”
Political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the full story:
Minister rules out restoring ￡20-per-week universal credit uplift ‘That is not going to return,’ Simon Clarke says
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 08:51
1653291668 Windfall tax cannot be ruled out, says Treasury minister
A Treasury minister suggested Chancellor Rishi Sunak was not ruling out a windfall tax on oil and gas company profits if the sector does not invest in providing more domestic energy sources.
Simon Clarke, chief secretary to the Treasury, told BBC Breakfast: "We want to see the record profits that the industry is making at this time reinvested in productive capacity for our economy.
"Insofar as that doesn't happen, the Chancellor has been clear that we can't rule anything out.
"And I think that must be the right position to adopt.
"Philosophically, I don't want to be raising taxes but nor obviously can we ignore the fact that there is a very challenging situation in terms of the cost of energy at the moment that will likely worsen ahead of next winter, and the Government is going to need to take action to address that.
"It is in that context that the Chancellor and his team will be looking at all the options open to us."
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 08:41
1653291017 ‘Perfectly clear’ government needs to do more to support people in coming months, says Tory MP
Conservative MP Jesse Norman said it is "perfectly clear" the government is going to need to do more to support people in the next few months.
"And a windfall tax justification in part rests on the widespread need that we are going to need to support people, and recognition of that, and we're going to do that I hope quite comprehensively because that's what's going to be needed," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Governments treat tax with "extreme caution", particularly windfall taxes as they tend to be "unexpected responses to situations", Mr Norman said.
"But we're not in ordinary times. We're in absolutely extraordinary times at the moment."
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 08:30
1653290254 Chief secretary to Treasury condemns reports Sue Gray is ‘playing politics'
Chief secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke has condemned briefed reports that senior civil servant Sue Gray is "playing politics" in the handling of the publication of her report into lockdown parties in Downing Street.
Mr Clarke told Sky News: "I would (condemn it).
"I think the one thing I would say about Sue Gray, and I have never met her but I have heard a great deal about her, is that by repute she is one of the most fiercely independent and professional civil servants in the whole of government and brings a vast range of experience to bear, so I don't think there is any politics."
He added: "In no way do I think there is anything other than a practical dimension to the question of when it comes out, now that the police have concluded their investigation."
Asked who instigated the meeting between the prime minister and Ms Gray, the Treasury minister said: "It is my understanding that the meeting was instigated by Ms Gray."
He continued: "There are lots of practical questions here that need to be bottomed out in terms of, for example, who can be named in this report and the extent to which photographic evidence can be included. It is important that those practical dimensions are resolved."
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 08:17
1653288551 Sue Gray Partygate report ‘contains photos’
Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into illegal Downing Street parties held during the coronavirus lockdown will reportedly contain images from the events.
ITV News political editor Robert Peston wrote on Twitter: “For the first time I can remember, a report by a Cabinet office official will contain photos. The Sue Gray report, when published this week, will - I understand - contain photos of the Downing St [parties]. The stakes for PM and Cabinet Sec Case very high indeed.”
Chiara Giordano 23 May 2022 07:49
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