A limited version of the report into Downing Street and UK government parties during England's Covid-19 lockdowns has criticised a “serious failure” to observe the high standards expected of those working at the heart of British government.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray’s findings were published online as British prime minister Boris Johnson prepares to face MPs as he fights to save his premiership.
In a carefully-worded statement, the UK cabinet office said Ms Gray had provided an “update” on her investigation to Mr Johnson, suggesting it was not the full report she was preparing before the Metropolitan Police intervened.
Last week, Scotland Yard asked Ms Gray to make only “minimal reference” to gatherings being investigated by its officers.
Downing Street has so far refused to commit to publishing a fuller version of Ms Gray’s findings once the police investigation has concluded.
The version of Ms Gray’s report published online said: “It seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public.”
The Downing Street garden was used for gatherings “without clear authorisation or oversight” in a way that was “not appropriate”.
