‘Partygate’: Met Police ask for ‘minimal reference’ in Sue Gray report

The Met Police have requested a long-awaited report into allegations of parties being held in the heart of government makes “minimal reference” to events they are investigating.

Boris Johnson’s job as prime minister is at risk following a string of claims lockdown-busting parties were held in No10 and Whitehall while the public was under strict Covid-19 rules.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray has been tasked with investigating the alleged gatherings and many Tory MPs have said they are waiting for her report before calling for the PM to resign.

But the Met Police, who faced criticism for saying they would not investigate the potential breaches, announced on Monday they were investigating “a number of events”.

However, since then there has been confusion over whether the Met inquiry will affect the publication of Ms Gray’s report, which Boris Johnson has pledged will be published in full.

It is not yet known whether it will be published in full - or it all - or when this will now be.

A Met spokesperson said today they had asked for “minimal reference” in the report to events they are investigating to avoid prejudicing its inquiries.

The report was widely expected to be sent to Downing Street this week.

In a statement on Friday morning, the Met said: "For the events the Met is investigating, we asked for minimal reference to be made in the Cabinet Office report.

"The Met did not ask for any limitations on other events in the report, or for the report to be delayed, but we have had ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office, including on the content of the report, to avoid any prejudice to our investigation."

The Met has not said how many gatherings it has opted to investigate.

Media reports of 17 alleged parties in government buildings during lockdown have emerged.

It has been confirmed Ms Gray is looking into a ‘BYOB’ drinks event in the No10 garden in May 2020 attended by Boris Johnson, and a gathering to celebrate his birthday in June 2020.

Mr Johnson’s spokesman has said the PM did not believe he had broken Covid laws.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Friday: “What I want to see is Sue Gray’s report in full and the investigation finished as quickly as possible".

At least 54 Tory MPs must write to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, to set up a vote of no confidence on the prime minister’s future leadership.