Confusion over publication of Downing Street ‘Partygate’ report

LONDON REUTERS Jan 28-An inquiry into COVID-19 lockdown-breaking gatherings in Downing Street that might determine the future of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could be delayed after the police asked for the report to make only “minimal reference” to those events.   

 Johnson, facing the gravest threat to his premiership over the alleged lockdown-busting parties at his residence and office at Number 10, has so far weathered growing calls to resign over the events, asking for lawmakers to wait for the report.   

 The report, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, is looking into several allegations that staff, and Johnson, attended parties in Downing Street in breach of the rules they had themselves imposed on the population to fight the coronavirus pandemic.   

 It had been expected to be released this week, but that time scale was derailed when on Tuesday, London’s Metropolitan Police said they had opened an investigation into some of the events to assess whether criminal offences had been committed.   

 Officials are working on ways to publish Gray’s report without compromising the criminal investigation, and some lawmakers fear that it will be watered down, offering little insight into what happened in Downing Street under lockdown.   

 It could, some lawmakers say, also be delayed.