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Good morning. Partygate has now received loads, lot worse for Boris Johnson. It will be shocking if the variety of Conservative MPs coming to the conclusion that they’ll have a greater probability of reelection on the subsequent election beneath a special chief has not elevated in a single day, or if these Tories already inclined to that view aren’t feeling a bit extra sure this morning.
It was not as if partygate was not extremely damaging, and even probably career-threatening, within the first place. However the newest revelations – beginning with Dominic Cummings publishing a weblog on Friday saying that there had been a lockdown-busting party in Downing Street on 20 May final yr (“I and at the least one different Spad [in writing so Sue Gray can dig up the original email and the warning] stated that this gave the impression to be in opposition to the principles and mustn’t occur”), adopted by the Sunday Occasions suggesting that Boris Johnson was there, and culminating in ITV’s Paul Model publishing the e-mail invitation despatched by Johnson’s principal personal secretary, Martin Reynolds – have taken this to a brand new stage. Right here is our overnight story summarising the situation.
Why is that this a lot worse? There are at the least three causes.
1) No 10 has been capable of half-defend earlier partygate allegations by claiming that they had been basically work conferences involving some drink late within the day. For some occasions, just like the 18 December Christmas party, this defence was extremely inconceivable. But it surely doesn’t operate in any respect within the mild of the e-mail invitation from Reynolds despatched to workers forward of the 20 Might do. Reynolds wrote:
Hello all, After what has been an extremely busy interval we thought it could be good to take advantage of the stunning climate and have some socially distanced drinks within the No 10 backyard this night. Please be part of us from 6pm and produce your personal booze!
Even Lord Geidt must conclude that this was an invite to a celebration, not a piece invitation.
2) Boris Johnson was virtually actually there himself. Witnesses have informed journalists he attended, and he and No 10 have declined a number of invites to disclaim this. That signifies that one other key defence deployed till now in response to partygate – that Johnson didn’t know what workers may need been as much as in what’s a comparatively massive workplace advanced – is not tenable.
3) The Metropolitan police, who’ve executed their greatest to keep away from being dragged into earlier allegations, seem more likely to investigate this one.
Edward Argar, the well being minister, has been doing the morning interview spherical on behalf of No 10. He refused to clarify what occurred, sticking to the No 10 line from Monday that these had been all issues for the partygate investigation being carried out by Sue Grey, a senior civil servant. However he stated that “acceptable disciplinary motion” ought to be taken if Grey discovered the principles had been damaged, and that he may perceive why folks had been “upset and offended” concerning the experiences.
However Labour stated that Johnson needed to clarify himself now as a substitute of simply ready for the Grey investigation to conclude. Angela Rayner, the get together’s deputy chief, stated:
Boris Johnson’s deflections and distractions are not tenable.
Sue Grey is a extremely revered civil servant who might be finishing up an investigation to the very best customary.
However the reality is out now. Not solely did Boris Johnson know concerning the events, he attended them and he lied.
It’s time for the prime minister to cease hiding behind Whitehall inquiries and at last come clear.
Rayner is referring to the various instances Johnson informed MPs within the Commons that no guidelines had been damaged (though usually Johnson was speaking in response to questions on Christmas events, reasonably than partying at any time).
Ed Miliband, the shadow local weather change minister, made the same argument on the In the present day programme. He stated:
It’s all very effectively that we’re having Sue Grey’s inquiry, however the prime minister can not run and he can not conceal. He’s received to reply. If I went to a celebration, I do know I went to the get together. He’s received to clarify – was he on the get together?
How can he probably justify the entire issues he stated within the Home of Commons – that no guidelines had been damaged, that he did nothing flawed? He’s going to need to reply.
It speaks to a rotten tradition on the coronary heart of this authorities and the rotten tradition begins with the individual in cost.
And that is from Wes Streeting, the shadow well being secretary.
Wes Streeting MP
(@wesstreeting)Ministers shouldn’t be on the airwaves defending Boris Johnson, not to mention a minister within the Division of Well being.
Let the Prime Minister do his personal soiled work.
Johnson has executed incalculable injury to belief and confidence within the Authorities’s well being measures. Unforgivable.
Right here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: Boris Johnson chairs cupboard.
10am: Lord Evans, chair of the committee on requirements in public life, offers proof to the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee on governance requirements within the mild of the Greensill affair.
11.30am: Downing Road holds a foyer briefing.
12pm: The Division for Schooling publishes pupil attendance figures.
12pm: Eluned Morgan, the Welsh authorities’s well being minister, holds a Covid briefing.
After 12.45pm: MPs start debating a Labour movement calling for VAT on gas to be lower, and setting apart parliamentary time for a invoice implementing this to be debated.
2.20pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, offers an announcement to the Scottish parliament on Covid.
I attempt to monitor the feedback beneath the road (BTL) however it’s not possible to learn all of them. If in case you have a direct query, do embrace “Andrew” in it someplace and I’m extra prone to discover it. I do attempt to reply questions, and if they’re of common curiosity, I’ll submit the query and reply above the road (ATL), though I can’t promise to do that for everybody.
If you wish to appeal to my consideration rapidly, it’s most likely higher to make use of Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to e-mail me at andrew.sparrow@theguardian.com
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