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Sue Gray partygate report: The key findings at a glance | Sue Gray partygate report: The key findings at a glance |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A senior civil servant's highly anticipated report on lockdown gatherings held in and around Downing Street has been published in full. | A senior civil servant's highly anticipated report on lockdown gatherings held in and around Downing Street has been published in full. |
Sue Gray investigated 16 events among which the police found multiple breaches of Covid rules during the pandemic. | Sue Gray investigated 16 events among which the police found multiple breaches of Covid rules during the pandemic. |
Her report criticises the culture and leadership in Downing Street. | Her report criticises the culture and leadership in Downing Street. |
It includes photos of gatherings and the names of some of those who attended. | It includes photos of gatherings and the names of some of those who attended. |
Here we look at some of the key details in the 48-page report. | |
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 garden | 15 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden |
People were there 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 | |
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 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 garden | 20 May 2020: A gathering in the Downing Street garden |
The investigation was told this was aimed at "boosting staff morale following a challenging period" | |
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" | 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" |
Concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate | Concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate |
Mr Johnson attended 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 | |
19 June 2020: A gathering in the Cabinet Room for the PM's birthday | 19 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 drinks | A 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, said she had been asked to organise it | 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 minutes | The 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 prohibited | Gatherings 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 adviser | 13 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 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 take place | |
The prime minister attended on his way to his Downing Street flat, gave a speech and had a drink | The prime minister attended on his way to his Downing Street flat, gave a speech and had a drink |
After 6pm, 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 8pm | |
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 purposes | Indoor 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 officials | 16 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 official | Two 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 garden | Alcohol was consumed and speeches were made at both events, and the two groups eventually came together in the Downing Street garden |
Some people damaged a child's swing/slide in the garden | |
Staff members stayed until the early hours, the last leaving at 4.20am | |
Gatherings of two or more people indoors or more than six outdoors were prohibited | Gatherings 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 2020 | 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 2020 |
Mr Johnson drinking with staff at an event to mark the departure of officials on 13 November 2020 | Mr 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? |
Ms Gray's critique 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 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 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 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" |
Some attitudes and behaviours were "inconsistent" with that guidance | Some attitudes and behaviours were "inconsistent" with that guidance |
It is 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: |
Ms Gray's her initial report in January commented on "failures of leadership and judgment in No 10 and the Cabinet Office" | Ms Gray's her initial report in January commented on "failures of leadership and judgment in No 10 and the Cabinet Office" |
Today she says many events were attended by government leaders 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" |
"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 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" |
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 |
There were "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" |
"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"; her report does not amount to a "disciplinary investigation" | Ms Gray says disciplinary action "is for others to consider"; her report does not amount to a "disciplinary investigation" |
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 them | |
She hopes junior staff learn from this experience and that this will be taken into account when considering any action | |
Progress on reforms: | Progress on reforms: |
Ms Gray says she is "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 that aim for 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 as the Met 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 Johnson | Prime Minister Boris Johnson |
Chancellor Rishi Sunak | Chancellor Rishi Sunak |
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the most senior civil servant | Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the most senior civil servant |
Cleo Watson, a former No 10 special adviser | |
Dominic Cummings, the PM's former chief adviser | Dominic Cummings, the PM's former chief adviser |
Lee Cain, the PM's former communications chief | Lee Cain, the PM's former communications chief |
James Slack, another former director of communications | |
Martin Reynolds, the PM's former principal private secretary | Martin Reynolds, the PM's former principal private secretary |
Helen MacNamara, a former ethics chief at the Cabinet Office | |
Which gatherings were investigated? | Which gatherings were investigated? |
The 16 events took place over a dozen dates between May 2020 and April 2021, when Covid restrictions were in force | The 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 Education | They 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 minister | Of 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 2020 | 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 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 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 2020 |
She also looked into a leaving do for Mr Johnson's communications chief Lee Cain and a gathering in the No 10 flat, both on 13 November 2020 | She also looked into a leaving do for Mr Johnson's communications chief Lee Cain and a gathering in the No 10 flat, both on 13 November 2020 |
The last events 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 | The last events 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 |