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Sue Gray partygate report: The key findings at a glance Sue Gray partygate report: The key findings at a glance
(32 minutes later)
A senior civil servant's highly anticipated report into lockdown gatherings held in and around Downing Street has been published in full.A senior civil servant's highly anticipated report into lockdown gatherings held in and around Downing Street has been published in full.
Sue Gray investigated 16 events at which the police found multiple breaches of Covid-19 rules during the pandemic.Sue Gray investigated 16 events at which the police found multiple breaches of Covid-19 rules during the pandemic.
Her report criticises the culture and leadership in Downing Street.Her report criticises the culture and leadership in Downing Street.
The report includes photos of gatherings and the names of some who attended.The report includes photos of gatherings and the names of some who attended.
Here we look at some of the key details of the 48-page report in brief:Here we look at some of the key details of the 48-page report in brief:
What gatherings were investigated?What gatherings were investigated?
The 16 events took place over a dozen dates between May 2020 and April 2021, when Covid restrictions were in forceThe 16 events took place over a dozen dates between May 2020 and April 2021, when Covid restrictions were in force
They were held in 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office, apart from one in the Department for EducationThey were held in 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office, apart from one in the Department for Education
Of these events, 12 were investigated by the Metropolitan Police, who issued 126 fines to 83 people, including the prime ministerOf these events, 12 were investigated by the Metropolitan Police, who issued 126 fines to 83 people, including the prime minister
Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were all fined for attending a birthday party for the PM in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were all fined for attending a birthday party for the PM in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020
Other events investigated by Ms Gray included the infamous bring-your-own-booze party in the Downing Street garden, attended by the PM on 20 May 2020Other events investigated by Ms Gray included the infamous bring-your-own-booze party in the Downing Street garden, attended by the PM on 20 May 2020
She also looked into a leaving do for Mr Johnson's former communications chief Lee Cain and a gathering in the No 10 flat, both on 13 November 2020She also looked into a leaving do for Mr Johnson's former communications chief Lee Cain and a gathering in the No 10 flat, both on 13 November 2020
The last gatherings on the list were two parties held by Downing Street staff at No 10, the night before Prince Philip's funeral on 16 April 2021The last gatherings on the list were two parties held by Downing Street staff at No 10, the night before Prince Philip's funeral on 16 April 2021
What are the key findings from the events?What are the key findings from the events?
For each event, Ms Gray summarises the Covid regulations that applied at the time and describes what happened and who attended. Here's what she wrote about some of the gatherings:For each event, Ms Gray summarises the Covid regulations that applied at the time and describes what happened and who attended. Here's what she wrote about some of the gatherings:
15 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden15 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden
The report says people were gathered for "separate meetings" in the No 10 garden, where alcohol was drunk People were gathered for separate meetings in the No 10 garden where alcohol was drunk; the prime minister brought cheese and wine from his flat for an outdoor meeting lasting between 40 minutes and an hour
The prime minister brought cheese and wine from his flat for an outdoor meeting, which lasted for 40 minutes to an hour Ms Gray says there is no reason to suggest this was anything other than a further work meeting
Ms Gray says "there is no reason to suggest that this was anything other than a further work meeting"
Gatherings of more than two people in public were banned unless they were "essential for work purposes"Gatherings of more than two people in public were banned unless they were "essential for work purposes"
20 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden20 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden
The investigation was told "the event was for the purposes of boosting staff morale following a challenging period" The investigation was told the event was aimed at "boosting staff morale following a challenging period"
The event was planned in advance by officials, and concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate It was planned in advance by officials; an email sent to staff by the PM's principal private secretary Martin Reynolds read: "Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze"
The report includes an email invitation sent to staff by the PM's principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, which reads: "Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze" Concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate
Mr Johnson attended at about 18.00 for about 30 minutes to thank staff before returning to his office for a meeting Mr Johnson attended for about 30 minutes to thank staff before returning to his office for a meeting
Gatherings of more than two people in public were banned unless they were "essential for work purposes"Gatherings of more than two people in public were banned unless they were "essential for work purposes"
19 June 2020: A gathering in the Cabinet Room for the PM's birthday19 June 2020: A gathering in the Cabinet Room for the PM's birthday
A number of people gathered in the Cabinet Room for a pre-planned event with food, alcohol and soft drinksA number of people gathered in the Cabinet Room for a pre-planned event with food, alcohol and soft drinks
Cleo Watson, a No 10 special adviser, informed the investigation that she had been asked to organise the event Cleo Watson, a No 10 special adviser, said she had been asked to organise it
The prime minister and the chancellor had no advance knowledge of the event, which lasted about 30 minutesThe prime minister and the chancellor had no advance knowledge of the event, which lasted about 30 minutes
Gatherings of two or more people indoors and more than six outdoors were prohibitedGatherings of two or more people indoors and more than six outdoors were prohibited
13 November 2020: A gathering in Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser13 November 2020: A gathering in Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser
Staff gathered in the press office area of No 10 to mark the departure of Lee Cain, the PM's then communications chief Staff gathered in the press office area of No 10 to mark the departure of Lee Cain, the PM's communications chief
It was not planned and occurred at about the time that "Wine Time Friday" would normally be taking placeIt was not planned and occurred at about the time that "Wine Time Friday" would normally be taking place
The prime minister attended on his way to his Downing Street flat, gave a speech and had a drinkThe prime minister attended on his way to his Downing Street flat, gave a speech and had a drink
After 18:00, a meeting was held in the PM's flat to discuss the handling of Mr Cain's departure and that of former No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings; the PM joined it at about 20:00After 18:00, a meeting was held in the PM's flat to discuss the handling of Mr Cain's departure and that of former No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings; the PM joined it at about 20:00
Ms Gray says she was able to gather only "limited" information on this gathering before the Met started investigating Sue Gray says she was able to gather only "limited" information on this gathering before the Met started investigating
Indoor gatherings of two or more people were banned unless they were "reasonably necessary" for work purposesIndoor gatherings of two or more people were banned unless they were "reasonably necessary" for work purposes
16 April 2021: Two gatherings in Downing Street to mark the departures of No 10 officials16 April 2021: Two gatherings in Downing Street to mark the departures of No 10 officials
Two separate leaving events took place in No 10, one for director of communications James Slack and one for another officialTwo separate leaving events took place in No 10, one for director of communications James Slack and one for another official
Alcohol was consumed and speeches were made at both events, and the two groups eventually came together in the Downing Street gardenAlcohol was consumed and speeches were made at both events, and the two groups eventually came together in the Downing Street garden
Some people "gathered near a child's swing/slide in the garden, damaging it by leaning on and playing with it" Some people gathered near a child's swing/slide in the garden and damaged it
Staff members stayed until the early hours, with the last leaving at 04:20 in the morning the next day Staff members stayed until the early hours, with the last leaving at 04:20 the next day
Gatherings of two or more people indoors or more than six outdoors were prohibitedGatherings of two or more people indoors or more than six outdoors were prohibited
What photographs have been included?What photographs have been included?
In total, nine photographs from inside Downing Street appear in the report. They show:In total, nine photographs from inside Downing Street appear in the report. They show:
Mr Johnson, Mr Sunak and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case gathered in the Cabinet Room for a birthday party thrown in the PM's honour in June 2020Mr Johnson, Mr Sunak and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case gathered in the Cabinet Room for a birthday party thrown in the PM's honour in June 2020
Mr Johnson drinking with staff at an event to mark the departure of officials on 13 November 2020Mr Johnson drinking with staff at an event to mark the departure of officials on 13 November 2020
What are her criticisms and feedback?What are her criticisms and feedback?
Mr Gray's critique is primarily made in two sections focusing on the context at the time of the parties, and her conclusions as to how they were allowed to happen at the heart of government during the pandemic. Mr Gray's critique primarily focuses on the context at the time of the parties, and her conclusions as to how they were allowed to happen at the heart of government during the pandemic.
Pandemic sacrifices:Pandemic sacrifices:
The pandemic "had a seismic impact on every aspect of life in the country" and restrictions were put in place to "control the spread of the virus and to keep the most vulnerable safe" The pandemic "had a seismic impact on every aspect of life in the country" and restrictions were put in place to control the spread of the virus and keep the most vulnerable safe
Ministers and officials "worked long hours under difficult conditions in buildings that could not be easily adapted as Covid secure workplaces" Ministers and officials worked long hours "under difficult conditions in buildings that could not be easily adapted as Covid secure workplaces"
But Ms Gray says those challenges "applied to key and frontline workers across the country who were working under equally, if not more, demanding conditions" But those challenges "applied to key and frontline workers across the country who were working under equally, if not more, demanding conditions"
The report highlights the "personal sacrifices" everyone made, including those who were not able to see "loved ones in their last moments or care for vulnerable family and friends" The report highlights the personal sacrifices everyone made, including those not able to see "loved ones in their last moments or care for vulnerable family and friends"
Covid breaches:Covid breaches:
Regardless of "initial intent", many of the events investigated were not "in line with Covid guidance at the time"Regardless of "initial intent", many of the events investigated were not "in line with Covid guidance at the time"
The findings of the report "illustrate some attitudes and behaviours inconsistent with that guidance" Some attitudes and behaviours were "inconsistent" with that guidance
It was clear there were breaches of the Covid regulations and guidance, given the Met Police fined 83 people It is clear there were breaches of the Covid regulations and guidance, given the Met Police fined 83 people
Leadership failures:Leadership failures:
She says she has already commented on "failures of leadership and judgment in No 10 and the Cabinet Office" in her initial report Ms Gray's her initial report in January commented on "failures of leadership and judgment in No 10 and the Cabinet Office"
Many events were attended by leaders in government and "should not have been allowed to happen" Today she says many events were attended by government leaders and "should not have been allowed to happen"
Ms Gray says "the senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture" "The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture"; the public have "a right to expect the very highest standards of behaviour" in Downing Street and "clearly what happened fell well short of this"
The public have "a right to expect the very highest standards of behaviour" in Downing Street and "clearly what happened fell well short of this"
Work culture:Work culture:
Some staff "felt unable to raise" concerns about behaviour they had witnessed at work Some staff felt unable to raise concerns about behaviour they had witnessed at work
Ms Gray says she found "multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff", which was "unacceptable" There were "multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff", which was "unacceptable"
She says "a clear and robust policy covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace" has been recommended and implemented "A clear and robust policy covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace" has been recommended and implemented
Disciplinary action:Disciplinary action:
Ms Gray says disciplinary action "is for others to consider" following her report Ms Gray says disciplinary action "is for others to consider"; her report does not amount to a "disciplinary investigation"
Her report does not amount to a "disciplinary investigation", but she did offer some reflections She says it is important to acknowledge that those in the most junior positions attended gatherings at which their seniors were present, or indeed organised
She says it is "important to acknowledge that those in the most junior positions attended gatherings at which their seniors were present, or indeed organised" She hopes junior staff learn from this experience and this will be taken into account in considering any disciplinary action
Ms Gray says she hopes junior staff learn from this experience and "this will be taken into account in considering any disciplinary action"
Progress on reforms:Progress on reforms:
Ms Gray said she was "pleased progress is being made in addressing the issues I raised" Ms Gray says she is "pleased progress is being made in addressing the issues I raised"
There have been "changes to the organisation and management of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office with the aim of creating clearer lines of leadership and accountability" There have been changes to the organisation and management of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office that aim for clearer lines of leadership and accountability
Who has been named?Who has been named?
No one was identified in Ms Gray's initial report, which was released in January this year as the Met Police began investigating the events. No one was identified in Ms Gray's initial report, which was released as the Met Police began investigating the events.
With the police force's investigation now concluded, Ms Gray has named some senior officials and ministers in her final report. They include:With the police force's investigation now concluded, Ms Gray has named some senior officials and ministers in her final report. They include:
Prime Minister Boris JohnsonPrime Minister Boris Johnson
Chancellor Rishi SunakChancellor Rishi Sunak
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the most senior civil servantCabinet Secretary Simon Case, the most senior civil servant
Cleo Watson, a No 10 special adviserCleo Watson, a No 10 special adviser
Dominic Cummings, the PM's former chief adviserDominic Cummings, the PM's former chief adviser
Lee Cain, the PM's former communications chiefLee Cain, the PM's former communications chief
James Slack, No 10's former director of communicationsJames Slack, No 10's former director of communications
Martin Reynolds, the PM's former principal private secretaryMartin Reynolds, the PM's former principal private secretary
Helen MacNamara, No 10's former ethics chiefHelen MacNamara, No 10's former ethics chief