Sue Gray ‘is told by Met Police she cannot publish her Downing Street Partygate report until all fines have been handed out’ despite the force concluding their investigations
- Sue Gray has been told she is not allowed to release her Partygate report yet
- Met Police say all fines related to the report must be handed before she can
- The report could end up being released after local council elections in May
Sue Gray has been told she cannot publish her highly-anticipated Partygate report until all the related fines have been handed out – meaning it will likely not be released before next month’s local elections.
The former ethics chief wants to publish the potentially explosive dossier as soon as possible after April 26, when the House of Lords returns from its Easter break.
But she is now locked in a row with the Metropolitan Police, who have said all the fines must be handed out first, in a process which could take weeks.
The force previously delayed the report’s publication because they said it could prejudice police interviews.
But while investigations have concluded, officers are now claiming the ‘investigation’ period includes the handing out of fixed penalty notices (FPNs), reports the Telegraph.
Sue Gray (pictured) is in a row with Met Police who have told her she can’t publish her Partygate report until all the related fines have been handed out
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already received his fine of £50 from the police for breaking lockdown rules
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was given a £50 fine for breaking lockdown rules at 10 Downing Street, on Tuesday he is expected to make a statement to MPs about the fixed penalty notice.
MPs are expected to vote on Thursday on whether a parliamentary committee should look into claims that he misled Parliament over Partygate.
Though the report which will shed light on the Downing Street parties could be delayed until after May 5, when local elections will be held in council areas across England and Wales.
Gray’s report will not be affected by ‘purdah’ rules that restrict Government announcements before elections.
Following the fine, Sir Keir Starmer called on Conservative MPs to oust Boris Johnson for attending his own birthday gathering in June 2020.
Several Conservative backbenchers have publicly said the Prime Minister should quit, including Nigel Mills and Craig Whittaker.
After his expected apology on Tuesday it is understood he will try and regain some support from his party, by meeting Tory MPs that evening to ‘clear the air’.
The Metropolitan Police declined to comment.
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