Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240708 : comparemela.com

for nhs workers in england. the vaccination is the right policy, but forcing vaccination wasn't, not in the middle of a staffing crisis particularly. and after the double whammy of storms this weekend, there's more damage in scotland and the north—east of england. good afternoon. initial findings from the long awaited report by sue gray, into multiple parties held at downing street and whitehall during lockdown, have been handed to the prime minister. the inquiry was ordered by borisjohnson, after a series of media reports about gatherings, held while coronavirus restrictions were in place, in 2020. however sue gray's report is partially limited by a metropolitan police request, that only �*minimal reference�* be made to alleged events that may have taken place at no 10. the report is expected to be made public this afternoon, and borisjohnson will address mps in the next few hours. this report from helen catt. sue gray's investigation into lockdown breaking parties at downing street has taken more than two months, during which a steady stream of damaging claims has emerged. now the prime minister has been updated on what she's found. on a visit to essex earlier, before he received the update, borisjohnson was staying tight—lipped. 0ur viewers want to know, do you think that you have done anything wrong? you will have to wait and see the outcome of the investigations, but of course i stick to what i've said in the past. sue gray was tasked with looking at a number of gatherings in downing street and other government departments. the inquiry was initially set up after claims of gatherings in winter 2020 including an alleged christmas party in downing street on the 18th of december. the prime minister said he had been reassured there hadn't been a party. allegra stratton resigned after being caught on camera joking about such an event. there were also claims of gatherings during november 2020 and even earlier, in may 2020, including on the 20th, a bring your own booze garden gathering which the prime minister apologised for attending. i believed implicitly that this was a work event. but mr speaker, with hindsight, i should have sent everyone back inside. i should have found some other way to thank them. the investigation was also known to be looking at two leading parties to be looking at two leaving parties held the following year by staff at number ten on the 16th of april 2021, the eve of prince philip's funeral. the remit of sue gray's investigation was to set out a general understanding of the nature of gatherings including where and why they were held and who went. it is not expected to be the full report, though. last week the metropolitan police announced it would investigate eight of the gatherings. it has asked sue gray to make minimal reference to those while it looks into them. the prime minister has committed to making sue gray's initial findings public and he will answer questions in the house of commons this afternoon in what could prove to be a pivotal moment for his time as prime minister. let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley, who's in parliament's central lobby. it is going to be peered back. what are we expecting? i it is going to be peered back. what are we expecting?— are we expecting? i think you are riaht, i are we expecting? i think you are right. i think _ are we expecting? i think you are right, i think we _ are we expecting? i think you are right, i think we will _ are we expecting? i think you are right, i think we will get - are we expecting? i think you are right, i think we will get what - are we expecting? i think you are right, i think we will get what is l are we expecting? i think you are i right, i think we will get what is a far shorter report than we would have got had he met not got involved and asked sue gray not to include details of allegations they were investigating. i do not think we will have long to wait. we are expecting that report imminently, probably within the next 20 minutes orso probably within the next 20 minutes or so and the prime minister will be in parliament arejust or so and the prime minister will be in parliament are just over an hour to give his take on things. this is a big moment, even if it is pared back. for months we have heard tory mps and cabinet ministers saying, wait for that report before deciding exactly what you think, make your mind up time is one that report drops. and there will be a lot of pressure on some conservative backbenchers who are sceptical about borisjohnson, to tell us what they really think today, to tell us whether there is enough in that report for them to make up their minds, do they think he should go, whether it has changed their mind and they are going to wait for the metropolitan police report comeback now. this is a big moment. the other thing a lot of tory mps have been telling me of the last few days, that they will be watching out for, is boris johnson's that they will be watching out for, is borisjohnson�*s reaction, the way he addresses these issues in parliament around half past three. he apologised before, i will not be surprised to hear something similar today but there are many tory mps who think he needs to address a number of issues, even if he stays imposed, to address some of the culture in his team, may be getting rid of some of some of his top staff. there is a big afternoon ahead in westminster. we will get the initial findings of that report imminently then we will hear the prime minister take on the parties around half past three. and what backbench tories think as well. i also want to know what voters think, whether they are around the country. they can message me on twitter or instagram or tick—tock, if that is your thing, instagram or tick—tock, if that is yourthing, oryou instagram or tick—tock, if that is your thing, or you can e—mail. constituents will be feeding their reaction into those conservative mps, like they have been doing over the last few weeks.— the last few weeks. absolutely, and one of the reasons _ the last few weeks. absolutely, and one of the reasons this _ the last few weeks. absolutely, and one of the reasons this issue - the last few weeks. absolutely, and one of the reasons this issue blew l one of the reasons this issue blew up one of the reasons this issue blew up the way it did a few weeks ago, when we were talking about the possibility of a confidence vote in borisjohnson, was because so many tory mps were being inundated with e—mails and letters from their constituents, furious that they felt the stories they were hearing about what had gone on in downing street were a complete paradox to the way they had been living their own lives during lockdown. i don't think we are going to get conclusions to date on some of the most serious allegations. it seems a fair bet they are the ones the metropolitan police are looking into. maybe sue grayjust police are looking into. maybe sue gray just addresses police are looking into. maybe sue grayjust addresses some of police are looking into. maybe sue gray just addresses some of the broader themes of some of the specifics which the metropolitan police isn't looking into. either way, borisjohnson is going to be on the charm offensive this afternoon. i know some of his allies have been working the tea rooms in parliament already this afternoon trying to get wavering mps. mrjohnson himself is due to address all tory backbenchers any private meeting in parliament sometime this evening. it is high—stakes stuff. this is a big political moment and it will be fascinating to see what impact it has on borisjohnson�*s position as prime minister. has on boris johnson's position as prime minister.— has on boris johnson's position as prime minister. thank you. we will be back with _ prime minister. thank you. we will be back with you _ prime minister. thank you. we will be back with you as _ prime minister. thank you. we will be back with you as soon _ prime minister. thank you. we will be back with you as soon as - prime minister. thank you. we will be back with you as soon as the - be back with you as soon as the report lines. thank you very much. —— the report lands. so we've been hearing a lot about sue gray — the senior civil servant who's carried out this investigation. bbc northern ireland political correspondent gareth gordon has interviewed her in the past and has this profile of the woman investigating downing street. they used to call sue gray the most powerful civil servant you have never heard of. not any more. all i ask is that sue gray be allowed to complete her inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue gray. sue gray. who is she and what makes her tick? well, for a start she is the only whitehall civil servant who has run a pub in newry with her husband, a country and western singer. #itisa # it is a slow road that winds through— # it is a slow road that winds through the sweet pines # it _ through the sweet pines # it makes me want to stop along the way # _ he hated the pub. and actually most of the customers didn't like him either, because he was quite miserable in it! so he, after six to eight weeks, it was making him a bit fed up, so i sent him back to london and i carried on running the bar on own. she returned to run the department of finance in belfast, but the job she wanted was head of the northern ireland civil service. why didn't i get the job, i'm not sure i will ever know. i suspect people may have thought i... perhaps too much of a challenger or a disruptor. i am both. and perhaps i would bring, perhaps there was going to be too much change. now she has a much biggerjob, so how will she cope? we asked the man who knows her from his time as tony blair's official spokesman. i think she will find this very, very uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who as you know enjoys being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her duty and those are four important letters for her, her duty to do this honestly, to the best of her ability and to present the truth. but may she be limited, given she is investigating her own boss? she is as about as close to being independent as it's possible, - mainly because she is at the end of her career and she has- so much experience and has been at the heart of power for so long, | she will be a difficult person - for anybody to treat improperly. there was only one other question for sue gray. it could not be avoided. somebody put it to me that you're a spy. i know you've had that put to you. i think if i was a spy, i think i would be a poor spy if people were talking about me being a spy! i think people here have put a lot of trust in me. and they have put a lot of faith in me and you know, we have worked really well together and i didn't think i would be working externally in the way i am. had you got that big job would you have considered leaving? no. but she did and the political world awaits what she will do next. we have just seen the foreign secretary liz truss walk into downing street. various members of the press shouted to her if she still has confidence in the prime minister. she didn't reply, shejust smiled. that's it from me here in downing street — more later in the hour. thank you very much indeed. ministers have been meeting today to decide whether to scrap mandatory covid vaccinations, for health workers in england. around 77,000 nhs staff still haven't had a jab, though not all of them will be in contact with patients. the government had said, that all front line workers would need to have a firstjab by this thursday, with a second by april when the mandatory requirement would take effect. unions have warned that the policy could lead to staff shortages at a time when services are under extreme pressure. here's our health correspondentjim reed. it has been a controversial policy. there have been warnings that thousands of nhs staff, only in england, could leave or be dismissed for refusing to be vaccinated. this morning, though, signs of a possible u—turn. all health care professionals should get a vaccine, that's absolutely clear. i think that sajid javid the health secretary will say a bit more later on about how you might deal with different variants of coronavirus, because they have different implications when it comes to transmissibility. we have to wait to hear what he says. i have been working on the covid itu since the beginning, i do not want to have a vaccination. the debate has become more heated as the deadline later this week looms. this clip of a doctor challenging the health secretary on the policy has been viewed more than a million times on social media. as things stand, 1.7 million front line health care staff will have to have a first dose of vaccine by thursday or they could lose theirjobs. the latest figures suggest 95% of nhs workers are already jabbed leaving around 77,000 unvaccinated. every vaccination is a result. it's a really positive thing. for both staff and patients, and as i say i would love to see 100% coverage, so we will continue working, we will not take our foot off the gas this week, we will continue to encourage and support staff with their vaccinations. but it is now understood the whole policy is being reconsidered. an announcement could come as early as this afternoon. the view in government is that the situation has changed because the 0micron variant can spread more easily among the double vaccinated, even if the jab still reduces severe disease. vaccination is the right policy but forcing vaccination wasn't, not in the middle of a staffing crisis particularly. and so, assuming it is going to be scrapped, we will certainly support that scrapping. the policy of mandatory vaccines for care home staff in england has already been in place for more than two months. there is now speculation that rule could also go. i think we are really happy for our nhs colleagues if this is what is going to happen, because it is an unnecessary burden, and persuasion will bring us to the same outcome. the vast majority of health care staff have been vaccinated for covid. it now looks increasingly likely that tens of thousands who haven't will not be losing theirjobs this week as a result. the headlines on bbc news... number 10 has now received a first draft, of the long awaited report by a senior civil servant, into lockdown parties in downing street. the report will be published shortly. after intense pressure, ministers meet to consider scrapping mandatory covid vaccinations for nhs workers in england. more extensive damage, after the double whammy of storms this weekend, in scotland and the north east of england. we've reached another milestone in the pandemic today. it's exactly two years since a uk hospital took in its first known covid patient. that hospital was in newcastle and we've been hearing from some of the people who work there, for their reflections. there were a lot of questions getting asked, but being a new pandemic none of us really knew the answers. i was at the start very worried thinking, "if i've got it, then i'd take it home to my children. everyone who works for the trust got an e—mail to say there was a covid . patient in the hospital- and it was like seeing bigfoot. everyone was like, "did you see this? | "did you read this?" and we were all trying to get a grasp of it. i hello, i'm claire frame. i've worked for the trust for eight years as a domestic assistant. we thought it would be more of the specialised wards, like the infectious diseases wards, but then it did start filtering through to, like, all the normal wards, so that's when it got a bit, like, real. my name is michael bowman. i've worked for the trust for 15 years as an assistant catering manager and we produce over 4,000 meals a day. in the kitchen side of it, it's like the third medicine, what we call it. if it wasn't for us feeding the patients, the patients wouldn't get well. a lot of the staff gave up a lot of their time to come and do extra shifts to ensure that we could keep the department going. hi, i'm chris wolf. i have worked at the rvi for eight years l as an operating department orderly. i was living at the time when covid started with my mother, _ who is in her 70s and, . like many elderly people, i she got the shielding information, i so i moved out from the family home into a hotel so i couldl continue to do myjob. you are staying away - from all your loved ones. it's not... it wasn't a holiday. i'm denise allan. i work at ward 19, which is infectious and tropical medicine. things changed quite quickly as the cases grew into sometimes you were having quite a few patients and they did deteriorate really quickly. especially people you weren't expecting to get ill, like young people, and that's quite daunting and it's not nice to watch. my name is ashley price and i'm a consultant in infectious diseases here in newcastle. i looked after the very first patients who became critically unwell in the trust here. i was on the weekend when we had our first deaths and it was incredibly emotional speaking to those first families because you kind of realised that this was going to be the first of many phone calls that would be very similar. thousands of homes in scotland and north east england are still without power after two storms hit the uk this weekend. two people were killed by falling trees after storm malik blew in, and storm corrie has also caused some damage. james shaw has more details. the western isles yesterday evening experiencing gale force winds gusting up to 92 mph. trees were brought down across a broad swathe of the north of scotland, blocking roads and damaging power lines. work to clear away the wreckage began in the hours of darkness and will continue through today. in aviemore in the central highlands, emergency teams were working at height to clear roads around the town. a number of schools in the worst affected parts are closed today. the scale of the problems means services along the east coast of scotland and into the north of england are not yet back to normal. one of the biggest challenges is restoring power to people after the double impact of two storms in quick succession, storm malik followed by storm corrie. as of this morning we have about 40,000 people off power as the result of the two storms, 7000 people from one storm and 33,000 people from the other. there are similar problems in the north of england. a major incident was declared in county durham as fallen trees blocked roads and wrecked power lines. it was reckoned 7,000 customers were still without power. 0ur target is to get everyone connected as soon as possible on monday, as we can. there is a risk that there will be a small number that will roll over into tuesday, unfortunately. and our main aim is to try to update and give more precise estimates for people. two people died over the course of the weekend, a boy in staffordshire and a woman in aberdeen. both were killed by falling trees. and the impact of the two storms was felt around the coasts of the uk as well as inland. it may not have been as widespread as storm arwen before christmas, but the winter is not over yet. james shaw, bbc news, glasgow. we are going to take you back to downing street and joined victoria who has the latest on the sue gray report which we are going to set eyes on very imminently, we hope at least. . ., �* ., ., , least. yeah, i don't have the latest on the report _ least. yeah, i don't have the latest on the report because _ least. yeah, i don't have the latest on the report because we - least. yeah, i don't have the latest on the report because we still - least. yeah, i don't have the latest on the report because we still do i on the report because we still do not have it yet. that is maybe the latest. we have got a couple of range rover secure which suggest the prime minister is about to leave downing street and the kids way to the house of commons, so it will be interesting to see his demeanour when he strides out of number ten back into the waiting cars. we saw the foreign secretary wonder in about ten minutes ago, she was asked if she still had confidence in the prime minister and she smiled. any moment now we are expecting the report, the interim report, the partial report, the scaled—back report to drop on the scaled—back report to drop on the government website. the prime minister was handed a copy of it earlier this morning, that was about 20 past 11 so he has had three hours to digest. we don't know how long it is, it could be four pages, ten pages, 20 pages, but he has had a hit hours to digest and to write what he is going to say in the comments to mps in the house and to the watching public —— he has had a few hours to digest. let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley, who's in parliament's central lobby. talker audience with a timetable of the next few minutes in the next hour. , ., ., ., , , , hour. they are going to be spent lookin: of hour. they are going to be spent looking of this _ hour. they are going to be spent looking of this report _ hour. they are going to be spent looking of this report because i hour. they are going to be spent looking of this report because it| looking of this report because it has just dropped in the last few seconds, which is why i am looking at my phone just now. 11 pages of it. i have not had the chance to go through the details yet, but it is here and we will be spending the next little while trying to figure out exactly what it says. it is covering, as we know, a number of the different events that went on in downing street, some of the allegations about rule breaking parties. i am allegations about rule breaking parties. iam having allegations about rule breaking parties. i am having a look at the conclusions now. let me come back to you in a second on that, but we know this report is not going to be everything that sue gray looked into for the simple reason the metropolitan police asked her to hold back some of those findings, or to only passing reference to them while they looked into them. we will be figuring out exactly what this says of the next few minutes and then in an hour's time the prime minister will be in the house of commons where he will be facing questions from mps about his interpretation and i'm sure a lot of pressure from opposition politicians, and perhaps from his own mps as well about exactly what this says. own mps as well about exactly what this sa s. , ., , own mps as well about exactly what this sa s. ,., , ., , this says. ok, so it is out, it is published- _ this says. ok, so it is out, it is published. we _ this says. ok, so it is out, it is published. we have _ this says. ok, so it is out, it is published. we have got - this says. ok, so it is out, it is published. we have got some| published. we have got some on—screen and i havejust published. we have got some on—screen and i have just got it on my phone. the first page is investigation into alleged gatherings on government premises during covid restriction update. have you got it as well? do you want to whisk you straight to the end? let me take you through what i've seen so far. she says a number of the gatherings that she looked into should not have been allowed to take place or to develop in the way that they did. she goes on to say there is significant learning to drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government. so i suspect a lot of boris johnson's government. so i suspect a lot of borisjohnson�*s backbenchers will want to see exactly what he plans to do to look into how he is going to... to look exactly at that. it is quite a long 12 pages. but as from the conclusions.— the conclusions. yes. i am 'ust auoin to the conclusions. yes. i am 'ust going to go. i the conclusions. yes. i am 'ust going to go. m i the conclusions. yes. i am 'ust going to go, i've got �* the conclusions. yes. i am 'ust going to go, i've got the h the conclusions. yes. i am just i going to go, i've got the general findings on page seven. against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviours surrounding these gatherings are difficult to justify. at least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe notjust the high standards expected of those working at the heart of government but also of the standards expected of the entire british population at the time. sue gray goes on, at times 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 have appeared to the public. there were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number ten and the cabinet office at different times. some of the events should not have been allowed to take place, other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did. it goes on. the excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate any professional workplace at any time, steps must be taken to ensure that every government department has a clear and robust policy in place, covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace. let me go on. the use of the garden at number ten downing street should be primarily for the prime minister and the private residence of number ten number 11 downing st. during the pandemic it was often used as an extension of the workplace as a more covid secure means of holding group meetings in a ventilated space. this was a sensible measure that stuff appreciated but the garden was also used for gatherings without the authorisation or oversight. this was not appropriate. some staff wanted to raise concerns about behaviours they witnessed at work, but at times felt unable to do so. no member of staff should feel unable to report or challenge poor conduct where they witness it. and then it says the number of staff working in number ten downing street has steadily increased in recent years in terms of scale, size and range of responsibility. it is now more akin to a small government department spent purely a dedicated prime minister's office. the structures that support the smooth operation of downing street have not evolved sufficiently to meet the demands of the expansion. there is a lot of criticism there. poor conduct is a phrase she uses. some of these gatherings should not have happened. the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify. at times there were two little thought given to what was happening across the country, what the rest of the country had to do when it came to lock down some instructions. failures of leadership, failures of judgment by different parts of number ten and the cabinet office. the guardian was used as an extension of the office, which was sensible, but then things changed, the garden was also used for gatherings without clear authorisation or oversight. critically, some staff wanted to raise the alarm, some staff wanted to raise concerns about behaviours they witnessed at work but they did not feel they could. those are some of the findings of this limited report from sue gray, limited because the metropolitan police asked her to take out key aspects of the reports. let me read you the conclusion. the gathering, this is the conclusion of a scaled—back report, the gatherings within the scope of this investigation are spread over a 20 month period. a period that has been unique in recent times in terms of the complexity and breadth of the demands on public servants and indeed the general public. the whole of the country rose to the challenge, ministers, special advisers and the civil service, of which i am proud to be a part of, were achy and dedicated part of that national effort. however, as i have noted, a number of these gatherings should not have been allowed to take place or to develop they way they did. there is significant learning to be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government. this does not need to wait for the police investigation to be concluded. for those just tuning in, what you can see on your screen some of the conclusions from the sue gray reports. we are waiting for the prime minister to leave number ten. he got this report at 20 past 11 this morning. it is 12 pages long, there are some very damning criticisms, irrespective of the fact that some of the key findings had to be left out on the request of the metropolitan police, as you know. i am just going to go through them again. some of the behaviours surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify, says sue gray. some of the gatherings should not have happened. some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe notjust the high standards expected of those working at the heart of government, but also of the standards expected of the entire british population at the time. it seems at times there was too little thought given to what was too little thought given to what was happening across the country, as though there was a disconnect between number ten and what the rest of the nation was having to cope with at the time. the excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time. steps must be taken to address that. the use of the garden was sensible, she said, as an extension of the workplace, but then when it ticked over for gatherings without clear oversight or authorisation, that was not appropriate. she also said some staff wanted to raise concerns about the behaviour they were witnessing in number ten, but felt unable to do so. she says no should ever ever be put in that position, but should feel able to report or challenge poor conduct when they witness it. she talks about a lack ofjudgment, a lack of leadership and she talks about the fact that the numbers of... in number ten have increased over time and there are not really be structures, the leadership structures, the leadership structures to support the staff there. the leadership structures are fragmented, she says. nick eardley, our correspondent, is also speed reading these conclusions and the findings. what is your first take? at first reading some of these conclusions are pretty damning of the culture in downing street around the time of various lockdown restrictions. there is a lot of talk about events that should not have taken place or should not have been allowed to develop in the way they did. there is talk of failures of leadership. significant things that need to be drawn from these events and i think boris johnson will be under a lot of pressure when he comes to the house of commons injust pressure when he comes to the house of commons in just over one hour's time to set out what he thinks those lessons are. there are wider questions about whether those leadership failures where the prime minister's himself. i suspect we will hear opposition politicians over the next few hours say exactly that, that the culture was created by the man at the top. the thing to really watch out for over the next few hours, though, is exactly how conservative mps react to this. we know many of them have been deeply uncomfortable about the stories they have heard of what went on the downing street and want to see the prime minister committed to addressing that. we know that within government, within the cabinet there has been a lot of talk about in particular addressing the boozy culture in downing street, and some of the late night drinking that has gone on in offices around whitehall and i would expect we will get something on that over the next few days, but there will be a lot of eyes on borisjohnson to see firstly if he takes responsibility for this and says, look, i am ultimately the boss, this falls on my shoulders, and secondly to see whether there will be personnel changes potentially in downing street as well, something which has been discussed as an option by boris johnson's allies over the last couple of weeks, but this is by no means a clean bill of health for downing street. there are some very serious conclusions and this about failures of leadership, failure is a judgment about a number of gatherings that should not have been allowed to take place or develop as they did. it is also worth pointing out that sue gray talks about being limited in what she can say at this stage, so that she can't set out everything she thinks,. as we know, the metropolitan police asked her to hold back a lot of information because they are looking into this themselves, so some damning conclusions in this that boris johnson will be expected to address in one hour, but it is not the full picture. in one hour, but it is not the full icture. , g, in one hour, but it is not the full icture. , ., ., ., ., picture. yes, and for those who are 'ust picture. yes, and for those who are just joining — picture. yes, and for those who are just joining us _ picture. yes, and for those who are just joining us here _ picture. yes, and for those who are just joining us here on _ picture. yes, and for those who are just joining us here on bbc- picture. yes, and for those who are just joining us here on bbc news, l picture. yes, and for those who are | just joining us here on bbc news, in justjoining us here on bbc news, in downing street we are expecting the prime minister to leave number ten at any moment and to go to the house of commons and, as nick said, to make some kind of statement to mps, as he said he would. when he got the findings, he said he would go back to parliament and make a statement and we will hear from the leader of the opposition as well and the reaction from mps in the house of commons. forthosejust tuning reaction from mps in the house of commons. for thosejust tuning in, sue gray has released interim report. these are partialfindings because the metropolitan police, as you know, asked her to leave out key aspects of this report. despite that, it is hugely critical. it talks about the fact that some of these gatherings were difficult to justify. it talks about a failure of leadership, it talks about high standards expected of those working here just witnessed, actually, standards expected of those working herejust witnessed, actually, and certainly did not match the high standards expected by the government when it came to the rest of the population. it says there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings. it talks about an excessive consumption of alcohol and sue gray says that is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time. it talks about failures of leadership, failures ofjudgment by different parts of number ten and the cabinet office at different times. it talks about the garden being used as an extension of the workplace and she says that seem sensible, but then when it dipped into gatherings being held in the garden, that was not appropriate and there was no clear authorisation or oversight. and her conclusion in this interim report is that he gatherings within the scope of this investigation is spread over 20 months, a period that has been unique in recent times in terms of the complexity and breadth of the demands on public servants and indeed the general public, sue gray says. the whole of the country rose to the challenge. ministers, special advisers and the civil service, of which i am proud to be a part, were a key and dedicated part of that national effort. however, a number of these gatherings should not have been allowed to take place or to develop in the way they did. there are significant learning is to be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government. this does not need to wait for the police investigation to be concluded. so, as i said, we are waiting for the prime minister to leave his home, his office and go to the house of commons. while we wait for that, let's have a word with professor alison young, who is from the university of cambridge, i think, and of cambridge, ithink, and is of cambridge, i think, and is an expert in public law, i think i am right in saying, professor alison young, hello to you.— right in saying, professor alison young, hello to you. hello, that is right, young, hello to you. hello, that is right. yes- — young, hello to you. hello, that is right, yes. thank— young, hello to you. hello, that is right, yes. thank you _ young, hello to you. hello, that is right, yes. thank you very - young, hello to you. hello, that is right, yes. thank you very much . young, hello to you. hello, that is| right, yes. thank you very much for talking to us, i wonder if you could give us your talking to us, i wonder if you could give us you— give us your initial reaction to the findings as _ give us your initial reaction to the findings as we — give us your initial reaction to the findings as we have _ give us your initial reaction to the findings as we have them? - give us your initial reaction to the findings as we have them? thankj give us your initial reaction to the - findings as we have them? thank you and i think findings as we have them? thank you and i think like _ findings as we have them? thank you and i think like everybody _ findings as we have them? thank you and i think like everybody it - findings as we have them? thank you and i think like everybody it is - and i think like everybody it is quite... inaudible particularly in regard to how number ten is particularly in regard to how number ten , ., ., , ., , particularly in regard to how number ten , ., . , ., , ., ten is run, how that is overseen and particularly — ten is run, how that is overseen and particularly as _ ten is run, how that is overseen and particularly as you _ ten is run, how that is overseen and particularly as you mentioned - ten is run, how that is overseen and particularly as you mentioned there | particularly as you mentioned there were failures by different parts of number ten and the cabinet office and i think we are all going to be looking very carefully listening to what the prime minister says, will he be looking to initiate an investigation how number ten and the cabinet office operate in practice? 0bviously cabinet office operate in practice? obviously to further the investigation to think about how this operates in practice and to turn... how far the prime minister looks at... these findings and all eyes are going to be in particular on backbench mps to see... to give their support to the prime minister. professor alison young, i am just going to pause you there because the sound quality is not amazing, so i'm just going to nip back to nick eardley and we will come back to you, we will sort out the technical issues. nick, ithink you, we will sort out the technical issues. nick, i think you you, we will sort out the technical issues. nick, ithink you have you, we will sort out the technical issues. nick, i think you have a you, we will sort out the technical issues. nick, ithink you have a bit more to tell the audience? igrgie issues. nick, i think you have a bit more to tell the audience?- more to tell the audience? we are 'ust more to tell the audience? we are just looking _ more to tell the audience? we are just looking through _ more to tell the audience? we are just looking through some - more to tell the audience? we are just looking through some of - more to tell the audience? we are just looking through some of the l just looking through some of the details in this report, victoria. we have got a bit more on what the police are looking into, so what sue gray has not looked at for this investigation in particular, she talks about the 15th of may 2020. you might have seen a picture of the front page of the guardian newspaper, which shows borisjohnson sitting in his garden with some aides and some staff and what looks like a bottle of wine on the table. that is one of the events that they are certainly investigating at this stage. sorry, that is something that... i beg your pardon, that is something the met police are not investigating. they are also not investigating. they are also not investigating a couple of other things, but what is quite clear from this is sue gray is saying in this report that the prime minister does not need to wait until the met have concluded their investigation. she says there is significant learning to be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government and does it need to wait for the police investigation is to be concluded? fik. for the police investigation is to be concluded?— for the police investigation is to be concluded? ok. i am 'ust going throu~h be concluded? ok. i am 'ust going through the — be concluded? ok. i am 'ust going through the report, _ be concluded? ok. i am 'ust going through the report, as _ be concluded? ok. i amjust going through the report, as you - be concluded? ok. i amjust going through the report, as you are, . through the report, as you are, nick, as we are live on air and we have got the list here from sue gray of the terms of reference for the following events, so she has listed what she was looking at. the 15th of may 2020. that was the so—called cheese and wine event. the 20th of may 2020, that was the bring your own booze event, when the e—mail went out to up to 100 members of staff, saying, we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather. the 18th ofjune, a gathering in the cabinet office. that was a leaving do. the 19th of june, 2020, a gathering in the cabinet room on the prime minister is my birthday. the 13th of november, a gathering in the number 10 downing street flat. a gathering in number 10 downing street on the departure of a special adviser. the 27th of november 2020 a gathering at number 10 downing street on the departure special adviser. 2a december department for education drinks, the 15th of december number ten, an online christmas quiz. the 17th of december, a gathering in the cabinet office to hold an online christmas quiz for the cabinet secretary's private office. the 18th of december, gathering in number ten ahead of the christmas break. 14th january 2021, a gathering in number ten and the departure of two number ten and the departure of two number ten private sector is. i am not sure we knew about the 14th of january 2021 until this report. and then the 16th of april, that was the night before the duke of edinburgh's funeral, as you know, too gatherings for the departures of number ten officials. so it is laid out in black and white there what parties happened when. and we now know, according to sue gray, they were gatherings, they did happen and according to sue gray, they were against covid regulations. there were breaches of covid regulations and certainly a different behaviour, in numberten, sue and certainly a different behaviour, in number ten, sue gray points out, then what was expected in the rest of the country. let's have a word with a politician. kirsten 0swald is the snp's westminster deputy leader. which is your reaction so far? it is really damning. — which is your reaction so far? it 3 really damning, isn't it? and i think the first thing in an awful lot of people will do is take a step back and think, hang on, the prime minister told the country from the dispatch box in the house of commons that there had been no parties, that if there had been parties that he would be furious, as there was anything that did happen that might have been a party, that it did not break any rules. he said that himself and here we have is this report, orwhat himself and here we have is this report, or what we have of it because obviously there is a great deal at this stage that is missing from the report, but what there is exit absolutely crystal clear that there have been repeated parties. as you just indicated, they even refused to be won there that has not come out yet, just to add to the very lengthy list of parties that we were already concerned with, and i think this is incredibly serious and obviously given the language used in the report, so does sue gray. so there are an awful lot of questions still to be answered and i don't think borisjohnson is going to satisfactorily answer them in the house of commons today, given that an awful lot of information is still missing and of course he told us that he would have all of the information published. we don't, but we have certainly got enough to make a pretty clearjudgment that this is a pretty clearjudgment that this is a devastating report, i think, for the prime minister. not sure why he would have anticipated it being anything else, given the circumstances, so very interested to hear what he has to say for himself. we do know that on the 1st of december last year he told yourself and other colleagues in the house of commons, quote, all guidance was followed completely in number ten. 0n followed completely in number ten. on december the 8th, he told you and your colleagues in the house of commons, i have been repeatedly assured there was no party and that no covid rules were broken. how do those statements look now, in the light of sue gray's partial report? i mean, it is obvious, isn't it? none of us have to look very deeply to realise that what he said was not correct, it was a lie. there is no other way of looking at that and we have heard it repeatedly because this story has changed day by day and week by week and now we have got to whatever his latest position is, which is 8 million miles away from the original position that there were no parties at all and he would be curious of any such thing had taken place. he was there at a number of these events that by anybody�*s estimation, including his own, he has not denied that subsequently, and now sue gray has quite understandably put quite strong language into that report about how very unacceptable this is and how it absolutely should not have happened. and of course, as i said, that is only part of the story. we still wait for the rest of the information from the match and i was really perturbed to hear earlier some suggestion being whispered from government sources that we might never get the full report and i have to tell you we will be having that full report, it is absolutely essential that we have the full report because this is incredibly serious. there is no other prime minister that i can ever imagine this kind of pantomime having surrounded and everybody deserves better than that any circumstances. he could not follow his own rules, when everyone else did, and people are very hurt that. the when everyone else did, and people are very hurt that.— are very hurt that. the leader of the liberal _ are very hurt that. the leader of the liberal democrats, - are very hurt that. the leader of the liberal democrats, ed - are very hurt that. the leader of. the liberal democrats, ed davey, are very hurt that. the leader of - the liberal democrats, ed davey, has just tweeted, everyone knows boris johnson broke the rules and lie to the country. it is time conservative mps did their patriotic duty, listened to their constituents and stood up for decency by sacking borisjohnson. he must go before he gets in our country any more harm. ed davey, as you know, was calling for borisjohnson to resign even before sue gray's interim report. kirsten 0swald, let me read the words of the ministerial code to you. i know you knew them very well, but for the benefit of our audience across the country, ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. first of all,... it expected to offer their resignation. first of all,...— first of all,... it is straightforward, l first of all,... it is i straightforward, isn't first of all,... it is - straightforward, isn't it? first of all,... it is _ straightforward, isn't it? sorry, the keyword — straightforward, isn't it? sorry, the keyword might _ straightforward, isn't it? sorry, the keyword might be - straightforward, isn't it? sorry, | the keyword might be knowingly there. ~ ., �* ~' , there. well, i don't think it is credible to _ there. well, i don't think it is credible to suggest _ there. well, i don't think it is credible to suggest that - there. well, i don't think it isj credible to suggest that boris johnson did not know he was at a party. i don't think it is credible to suggest that this ever—changing story represented the truth or that he thought it represented the truth because by any examination of that, obviously the story changed and he kept changing his story. so he will have known that it wasn't true. i don't think anyone thinks that he is telling the truth. i don't think anyone thinks he is doing anything other than misleading parliament and frankly isn'tjust on this matter. borisjohnson frankly isn'tjust on this matter. boris johnson misleads frankly isn'tjust on this matter. borisjohnson misleads parliament all the time. i would not talk about any other politician in these terms, but he is someone who repeatedly lies. ., ., but he is someone who repeatedly lies. ., ~' , ., but he is someone who repeatedly lies. . ,, , ., ., but he is someone who repeatedly lies. . ,, ., lies. thank you for your time. here in downing — lies. thank you for your time. here in downing street, _ lies. thank you for your time. here in downing street, we _ lies. thank you for your time. here in downing street, we are - lies. thank you for your time. here in downing street, we are awaiting j in downing street, we are awaiting borisjohnson in downing street, we are awaiting boris johnson leaving in downing street, we are awaiting borisjohnson leaving number ten on his way to the house of commons to make a statement to colleagues after the partial report from sue gray has been published. it is damning. let's go back to nick eardley, our political correspondent, who is in the houses of parliament. had a bit more information?— the houses of parliament. had a bit more information? yes, 'ust reading throu:h more information? yes, 'ust reading through the — more information? yes, 'ust reading through the report, _ more information? yes, 'ust reading through the report, it _ more information? yes, just reading through the report, it now _ more information? yes, just reading through the report, it now seems i through the report, it now seems there are 12 different events spread over eight separate days that the metropolitan police are looking at as part of their investigation. that is the stuff that sue gray could only talk about in a minimal way after being asked to do so by police. 0ne after being asked to do so by police. one of the one that is particularly eye—catching that the police are looking into is a gathering in number ten on the departure of a number ten official. there are various others and gatherings in number ten in april on the departure of other officials, gatherings in the cabinet office, online quizzes, things like that, gatherings on the 30th of november 2020 in the number 10 downing street flat. that is the prime minister's flat, so there is clearly going to be a lot for the met police to look at over the next few weeks. in terms of the next few hours, i think the most significant thing that boris johnson is going to face questions on is two things, firstly the idea that there were serious failures of leadership and judgment by number ten and the cabinet office and secondly that some of the events that took place in government during lockdown should not have been allowed to take place. 0thers lockdown should not have been allowed to take place. others should not have been allowed to develop as they did. in civil service language, thatis they did. in civil service language, that is pretty damning and i think borisjohnson will face huge questions, firstly about what he is going to do to address that, but also what you heard kirsten 0swald just talk about there. remember at the start of december, borisjohnson came to parliament and told mps that he did not know of any... he had been reassured that none of the events which took place in downing street had broken the rules. this leads to questions of the latch. sue gray clearly saying that some of these events should not have been allowed to take place.— these events should not have been allowed to take place. suspect boris johnson will — allowed to take place. suspect boris johnson will face _ allowed to take place. suspect boris johnson will face big _ allowed to take place. suspect boris johnson will face big questions - allowed to take place. suspect boris johnson will face big questions over| johnson will face big questions over that as well. 0k. the 13th of november 2020, that as well. 0k. the 13th of november2020, nick, gathering sue gray was looking at, a gathering in the number 10 downing street flat. and also a gathering in number 10 downing street on the departure of the special adviser. in terms of the flat claim, number ten have clearly denied there was any party in the downing street flat on the 13th of november 2020. that is what they have said previously to this report. yes, and we don't actually know any more details of exactly what this investigation has thrown up. remember that the evidence from sue gray was passed on to police to look at, but it is worth remembering that the 13th of november 2020 was the day that dominic cummings left downing street for the final time. he had alleged that the prime minister's wife, carriejohnson, held a party that evening, so it looks like maybe that is what the police are looking into, but as i say, some of the evidence that sue gray has compiled over the last few weeks has been given to police, but not included in this report because, as we know, the met police asked them to hold back on that, but it is really significant that the metropolitan police, and we can report is categorically for the first time, the metropolitan police are looking at events that took place in the number 10 downing street flat during lockdown and whether they contravened the rules that were set by number 10 downing street. ., ., that were set by number 10 downing street. ., ~' , ., that were set by number 10 downing street. ., ,, , ., a ., street. thank you, nick, for the moment- _ street. thank you, nick, for the moment. here _ street. thank you, nick, for the moment. here in _ street. thank you, nick, for the moment. here in downing - street. thank you, nick, for the l moment. here in downing street, street. thank you, nick, for the - moment. here in downing street, as i keep saying, we are waiting for the prime minister to leave and make his way to the house of commons and lets see what he will say to his colleagues and to his political opponents about what sue gray has found. let's speak to mo hussein, who's a former no 10 press officer. how do you react to this? well, it is not exactly _ how do you react to this? well, it is not exactly a — how do you react to this? well, it is not exactly a clean _ how do you react to this? well, it is not exactly a clean bill - how do you react to this? well, it is not exactly a clean bill of - is not exactly a clean bill of health. we have waited a long time for this and it is not the full picture in terms of what you were just discussing with the metropolitan police are looking at things. but there will be something certainly concerning downing street here in terms of how they respond when the prime minister does get up in front of the house of commons in an hour or so. the narrative from number ten has changed, which i think has added to the mishandling of this and some of the problems the government has faced from, nothing to see here, there were no parties and all the rules were followed to now clearly, there was a succession of different things that went on and these were being investigated by sue gray at the met police and reconciling all these different statements is not going to be easy. ijust statements is not going to be easy. i just want to update people statements is not going to be easy. ijust want to update people because ijust want to update people because i know people are tuning in all the time to let them know what sue gray has found, a serious failure to observe standards at the heart of government, little thought given in number ten as to whether the parties were inappropriate, excessive consumption of alcohol in number ten and staff feeling unable to raise concerns about behaviour. what is the thing out of those four that strikes you is the most damaging? i think the general connection between number ten and the outside world throughout this period of time is quite striking, staff feeling they were not able to raise issues is problematic as well in terms of culture, in terms of how that building is now working and you then get into a bit of who who knew what when? and who is responsible? 0verall, when? and who is responsible? overall, i think the bigger picture is quite damning and it shows a best case scenario is a very chaotic place, if worst—case scenario much more than that, but listening to the responses and the change narrative that i would expect the prime minister to try and make in the house of commons will be definitely important because the key audience here is conservative backbench mps. they are the ones he needs to keep onside, they are the ones who need to be convinced that virtually all of this is clearly not good, but what comes next? what are the changes that are going to be made to avoid this happening again and to convince their constituents that action has been taken? you have worked here. _ action has been taken? you have worked here. tell— action has been taken? you have worked here. tell us, _ action has been taken? you have worked here. tell us, is- action has been taken? you have worked here. tell us, is the - action has been taken? you have i worked here. tell us, is the culture set from the top, from the prime minister? in set from the top, from the prime minister? ,., ._ , set from the top, from the prime minister? , , , , minister? in some ways, yes, it is. each administration _ minister? in some ways, yes, it is. each administration will _ minister? in some ways, yes, it is. each administration will be - each administration will be different, they will have different challenges to deal with. i worked there under david cameron in the coalition years. we were not working under a pandemic, coalition years. we were not working undera pandemic, but we coalition years. we were not working under a pandemic, but we did have other quite difficult issues to deal with. i would say that it is not the biggest building, but quite a lot of things happen in number ten. it is the nerve centre of government. i don't think it is reasonable for the prime minister to be across every single detail of everything happening, but if a loss of your advisors and the people that you see day in, day out are involved in something or are talking about something, particularly if you are somebody who is quite personable and would stop and probably have a chat with people, then it is not so credible that you just would not know about things that might have been happening, so i think the culture is different, depending on the situation you work in, definitely. —— mike the administration is working. fiifi definitely. -- mike the administration is working. ., ,, administration is working. 0k, thank ou ve administration is working. 0k, thank you very much- _ administration is working. 0k, thank you very much- mo _ administration is working. 0k, thank you very much. mo hussein, - administration is working. 0k, thank you very much. mo hussein, was. administration is working. 0k, thank you very much. mo hussein, was a l you very much. mo hussein, was a former number ten press officer. if you arejustjoining us here, let me say that we have just had the pared back sue gray report into parties held in downing street and she has confirmed that there were quite a few of them and she has found that there was a serious failure to observe required standards at the heart of government during lockdown, little thought in number ten given to whether parties were appropriate, excessive consumption of alcohol in number ten and people who worked here who didn't want to raise concerns felt that they were not able to. so sue gray confirming that parties were held in number ten and beyond and that they were... they were against covid regulations. let's talk to professor alison young again from the university of cambridge, who specialises in public law. apologies for our technical difficulties a little earlier. if you just bear with me, actually i think we may be about to see the promised. no. no. apologies, professor alison young, but at any moment i may interact, if boris johnson leaves number ten on his way to the house of commons. so let me ask you again, as people are tuning in all the time, your reaction to these findings? i in all the time, your reaction to these findings?— in all the time, your reaction to these findings? i think my reaction oriainall these findings? i think my reaction originally is — these findings? i think my reaction originally is that _ these findings? i think my reaction originally is that they _ these findings? i think my reaction originally is that they are _ these findings? i think my reaction originally is that they are very - originally is that they are very critical of the prime minister and i think that means most backbench mps will be thinking very carefully about do they still have confidence in their leader, particularly when you see the failings in leadership and in particular because most of the electorate will be very concerned when they realise the culture that was taking place and this conclusion that often there was a lack of regard of upholding the standards of good behaviour and also, as you mentioned earlier, there are concerns about is there any circumstance in which the prime minister or another minister has knowingly misled parliament? which, as we know, the ministerial code would suggest that you should ordinarily resign in those circumstances. so i think those are two key elements we will be thinking about as we move forward in response to this quite critical report. minot to this quite critical report. what would ou to this quite critical report. what would you expect _ to this quite critical report. what would you expect to _ to this quite critical report. what would you expect to happen now, then? i would you expect to happen now, then? ., ., would you expect to happen now, then? ~ ., ., , . ., then? i think what i would expect to ha en then? i think what i would expect to happen now — then? i think what i would expect to happen now is _ then? i think what i would expect to happen now is going _ then? i think what i would expect to happen now is going to _ then? i think what i would expect to happen now is going to depend - then? i think what i would expect to happen now is going to depend a . then? i think what i would expect to happen now is going to depend a lot on how the prime minister responds, where he apologises, whether he takes responsibility for some of these findings and also whether he is going to carry on yet another investigation into how things run and perhapsjust investigation into how things run and perhaps just reforms investigation into how things run and perhapsjust reforms in how things run in number ten. so how he responds is going to be quite critical and that will determine whether backbench mps will be willing to send in letters and perhaps maybe then we'll reach the critical number that might trigger a leadership election within the conservative party, if we reach that particular number, that 5a number of mps suggesting they no longer have confidence in borisjohnson. for confidence in boris johnson. for those who _ confidence in boris johnson. for those who are _ confidence in borisjohnson. for those who are tuning in, ijust want to confirm what the police are investigating because there's quite a number of events. there are 16 that were under scope by sue gray and only four don't pass the threshold for police investigations, so the police are looking into 12 gatherings here. sue gray has listed 16, four don't pass the threshold will be police investigation, so the metropolitan police are looking into 12 incidents. that is what we can tell you, if you are tuning in right now. in terms of... professor alison young, in terms of whether more conservative mps will send in letters to the man in charge of that committee, who can trigger a contest, essentially, would you expect that to happen? i contest, essentially, would you expect that to happen?- contest, essentially, would you expect that to happen? i think it is very difficult _ expect that to happen? i think it is very difficult to _ expect that to happen? i think it is very difficult to know _ expect that to happen? i think it is very difficult to know because - expect that to happen? i think it is very difficult to know because you | very difficult to know because you have got to balance the timing. so they send the letters into the chair of the 1922 committee, the committee of the 1922 committee, the committee of backbench mps, and if you do get enough letters and you trigger it, then the difficulty with that is if you don't succeed it is a 12 month gap before you could then have another process, so i think backbench mps will be thinking very carefully about the timing as well. should they do that now or should they wait for the various conclusions from the investigation of the metropolitan police? so i think that is what backbenchers and mps will be thinking about, as well as thinking very carefully about how their constituents feel towards a leader, given the conclusions of this report. leader, given the conclusions of this report-— leader, given the conclusions of this report. leader, given the conclusions of this reort. ., ,, ,, , . ., this report. thank you very much for our this report. thank you very much for your time. — this report. thank you very much for your time, thank— this report. thank you very much for your time, thank you. _ this report. thank you very much for your time, thank you. professor - your time, thank you. professor alison young. from the university of cambridge. let's have a word with the director of the research... apologies, for that delay there, what is your reaction? it is shorter than many people expected and it has been filleted by the met, but it is pretty tough. it is damning about the culture in number ten downing street and about the lack of leadership, and poor judgment of what what the country was going through while these gatherings are taking place. it is perhaps more substantial and most useful when listing these 16 gatherings, the met are investigating 12 of those. it's most pointed remarks about this culture. they are hardest for the prime minister to address, but they are nothing like as difficult as if they were a lot of names and lots of details attached to those events, and we will see very soon how he manages to get through that, but i would think a pledge of cultural change, meaning a shake—up in downing street, will take a long way and then we have to see how his party react. it is tough on the civil service. party react. it is tough on the civilservice. not party react. it is tough on the civil service. not pointedly, party react. it is tough on the civilservice. not pointedly, but party react. it is tough on the civil service. not pointedly, but by implication. a lot of these gatherings clearly took place, it is clear that sue gray recognised discomfort felt byjunior officials discomfort felt by junior officials who discomfort felt byjunior officials who were uneasy but felt like they couldn't say anything. it is toughest for the met police. in effect, we cannot say any more, here is the process, the police are investigating. it is really over it on the met to have the investigation and to surface with the details that they have actually removed from the very report. sue they have actually removed from the ve reort. ,, , ._ they have actually removed from the very report-— very report. sue gray mentions a number of — very report. sue gray mentions a number of times _ very report. sue gray mentions a number of times in _ very report. sue gray mentions a number of times in this - very report. sue gray mentions a number of times in this reports l very report. sue gray mentions a i number of times in this reports how affected everybody across the country was by the pandemic. quote, everyone has made personal sacrifices, some the most profound, having been unable to see loved ones in the last moments or care for vulnerable family or friends. unquote. and she talks about... she doesn't use the word disconnect but that's what it seems like, a disconnect between what was going on here and the behaviour here when it came to covid restrictions, and what by and large the rest of the country were doing, following the rules. it is a masterpiece, a succinct understatement. the tone is masterly, it is not full of hyperbole but it simply describes what downing street is doing, describes what the country was going through and the sacrifices made, and point out, as you said, the disconnect between them. the deafness to the rules, that the government was inflicting on the country, to get a solid of the pandemic. i think the cool tone of sympathy with the public... about; sympathy with the public... any 'ud . ment sympathy with the public... any judgment to- -- _ sympathy with the public... any judgment to... are _ sympathy with the public... any judgment to... are the failures of leadership down to you boris johnson? are the failures of leadership down to you? borisjohnson boris johnson leaving number ten borisjohnson leaving number ten on his way to the house of commons. to make his statement to colleagues in the houses of parliament. finally, we have had the sue gray report published today, her interim report, her scaled—back report, her limited report. it lists 16 gatherings and 12 of those are being investigated by the metropolitan police, she tells us, in her report. there are some gatherings that were not in the public domain, that we did not know about, for example the 14th of january, 2021, a gathering in number 10 downing street on the departure of two number ten private sectors. let's go back to my colleague nick eardley who is in the houses of parliament.— eardley who is in the houses of parliament. boris yeltsin will be here and around _ parliament. boris yeltsin will be here and around half— parliament. boris yeltsin will be here and around half an - parliament. boris yeltsin will be here and around half an hour's l parliament. boris yeltsin will be . here and around half an hour's time to address some of those accusations of significant failure of leadership —— borisjohnson. and the cabinet office. i have got labour productivity leader angela rayner here to talk some of this aura. i know you have had time to skim read this. what is your initial take on the findings? it this. what is your initial take on the findings?— the findings? it is pretty astonishing _ the findings? it is pretty astonishing because - the findings? it is prettyj astonishing because this the findings? it is pretty i astonishing because this is the findings? it is pretty - astonishing because this is not the findings? it is pretty _ astonishing because this is not the full report, — astonishing because this is not the full report, it is an update, and of the i6— full report, it is an update, and of the 16 allegations of gatherings, 12 of them _ the 16 allegations of gatherings, 12 of them are now being investigated by the _ of them are now being investigated by the police. i do not know how boris _ by the police. i do not know how borisjohnson has got by the police. i do not know how boris johnson has got the by the police. i do not know how borisjohnson has got the nerve to even _ borisjohnson has got the nerve to even turn — borisjohnson has got the nerve to even turn up at parliament, when you think about _ even turn up at parliament, when you think about the key workers who lost their lives— think about the key workers who lost their lives over that period, they couldn't— their lives over that period, they couldn't have a farewell, their families— couldn't have a farewell, their families couldn't have a farewell or a proper— families couldn't have a farewell or a proper funeral. families couldn't have a farewell or a properfuneral. it is families couldn't have a farewell or a proper funeral. it is appalling and astonishing, and it is not the full report, — and astonishing, and it is not the full report, it isjust an update. we hevent— full report, it isjust an update. we haven't had the west of it yet. when _ we haven't had the west of it yet. when things are separate talks about is a significant learning can be drawn from these events. —— one of the things that this report talks about is that. what you think should happen now?— about is that. what you think should happen now? boris johnson must go. the leadership _ happen now? boris johnson must go. the leadership was _ happen now? boris johnson must go. the leadership was lacking _ happen now? boris johnson must go. the leadership was lacking in - happen now? boris johnson must go. | the leadership was lacking in number ten. the leadership was lacking in number ten there _ the leadership was lacking in number ten. there is allegations of partying _ ten. there is allegations of partying in the actual flat and boris — partying in the actual flat and borisjohnson has partying in the actual flat and boris johnson has clearly partying in the actual flat and borisjohnson has clearly presided over this — borisjohnson has clearly presided over this situation where they felt the wheels did not apply to them. i think— the wheels did not apply to them. i think the _ the wheels did not apply to them. i think the significant learning is have _ think the significant learning is have a — think the significant learning is have a reader that doesn't think they— have a reader that doesn't think they can — have a reader that doesn't think they can lie injokes and get serious time. this country hasn't been through anything like this ever before, _ been through anything like this ever before, and people gave up and sacrificed — before, and people gave up and sacrificed so many of their liberties _ sacrificed so many of their liberties to protect each other, and at the _ liberties to protect each other, and at the time — liberties to protect each other, and at the time the prime minister was obviously— at the time the prime minister was obviously partying and thinks it is only big _ obviously partying and thinks it is only big joke. it is not. that is a learning — only big joke. it is not. that is a learning festival. we need to get rid of_ learning festival. we need to get rid of the — learning festival. we need to get rid of the prime minister in place it is going — rid of the prime minister in place it is going to look after the country— it is going to look after the country rather than look after themselves.— country rather than look after themselves. . ., themselves. the argument we have heard from boris _ themselves. the argument we have heard from boris johnson, - themselves. the argument we have heard from boris johnson, from - themselves. the argument we have heard from boris johnson, from his| heard from borisjohnson, from his team in the past, is that these were were events attended by people who had to be in the office anyway and they were already mingling over the course of an afternoon. this doesn't go into specifics on certain people, but would you be content if boris johnson announced the change of the culture in downing street, perhaps a change of some personnel? it is very im ortant change of some personnel? it is very important that _ change of some personnel? it is very important that to _ change of some personnel? it is very important that to change _ change of some personnel? it is very important that to change the - change of some personnel? it is very important that to change the culture | important that to change the culture in downing _ important that to change the culture in downing street, you have to get rid of— in downing street, you have to get rid of the _ in downing street, you have to get rid of the prime minister who is allowed — rid of the prime minister who is allowed that culture to engulf number ten in allowed that culture to engulf numberten in the allowed that culture to engulf number ten in the first place. i find it— number ten in the first place. i find it astonishing that as a public servant. — find it astonishing that as a public servant, because it is an honour to represent — servant, because it is an honour to represent my constituents, that thinks _ represent my constituents, that thinks -- — represent my constituents, that thinks —— he thinks he can get away with it _ thinks —— he thinks he can get away with it he — thinks —— he thinks he can get away with it. he really has to show that leadership, — with it. he really has to show that leadership, that if you break the rules, _ leadership, that if you break the rules, you — leadership, that if you break the rules, you have to face consequences and he _ rules, you have to face consequences and he has _ rules, you have to face consequences and he has to— rules, you have to face consequences and he has to restore trust in the government by doing the right thing and resigning. we government by doing the right thing and resigning-— and resigning. we have spoken already about _ and resigning. we have spoken already about the _ and resigning. we have spoken already about the fact - and resigning. we have spoken already about the fact that - and resigning. we have spoken already about the fact that this| and resigning. we have spoken l already about the fact that this is only some of what sue gray was looking into. she says in her own report this is only partial findings, that there is more she looked into, but the metropolitan police have asked not to talk about it at this stage. do you want to see when the met investigation is completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the — completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the full _ completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the full facts _ completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the full facts but _ completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the full facts but what - completed, the full thing? everyone deserves the full facts but what is i deserves the full facts but what is very triggering for people is when you look— very triggering for people is when you look back at people to sacrifice, the prime minister cannot now think— sacrifice, the prime minister cannot now think i — sacrifice, the prime minister cannot now think i will wait for the investigation, this update is very damning — investigation, this update is very damning on the prime minister and the culture — damning on the prime minister and the culture in number ten. if he was any sort _ the culture in number ten. if he was any sort of— the culture in number ten. if he was any sort of leader he would reflect on that— any sort of leader he would reflect on that because people have gone through— on that because people have gone through a — on that because people have gone through a lot, this country has gone through— through a lot, this country has gone through a _ through a lot, this country has gone through a lot, this country has gone through a lot and he needs to recognise _ through a lot and he needs to recognise that i need to do the right— recognise that i need to do the right thing, for once in his life, he needs— right thing, for once in his life, he needs to do the right thing and accept _ he needs to do the right thing and accept he — he needs to do the right thing and accept he was wrong and should not have allowed that culture to develop in number— have allowed that culture to develop in number ten have allowed that culture to develop in numberten and have allowed that culture to develop in number ten and he have allowed that culture to develop in numberten and he needs have allowed that culture to develop in number ten and he needs to go as a result— in number ten and he needs to go as a result of— in number ten and he needs to go as a result of that. we in number ten and he needs to go as a result of that.— a result of that. we have seen in this report _ a result of that. we have seen in this report some _ a result of that. we have seen in this report some details - a result of that. we have seen in this report some details of- a result of that. we have seen in this report some details of what| a result of that. we have seen in i this report some details of what the police are looking into, including events in the number ten flat, and includes events we know boris johnson has alleged to have been at. i think the last time the police looked a prime minister or questioned eight prime minister was tony blair over cash for honours. how damaging do think it's for the police to be looking into something involving the prime minister? it is incredibly damaging. when the police investigated tony blair they found there _ investigated tony blair they found there was— investigated tony blair they found there was nothing that had come of it. there was nothing that had come of it but _ there was nothing that had come of it but it— there was nothing that had come of it. but it was incredibly damaging for the _ it. but it was incredibly damaging for the prime minister at the time and l'm _ for the prime minister at the time and i'm sure tony blair would acknowledge that, that it was destabilising. you have got a situation _ destabilising. you have got a situation here where you have got a global— situation here where you have got a global pandemic, a public health crisis. _ global pandemic, a public health crisis. you — global pandemic, a public health crisis, you have got nhs workers dying _ crisis, you have got nhs workers dying on— crisis, you have got nhs workers dying on the front line and their families— dying on the front line and their families were not able to say goodbye to them at their own funerals. _ goodbye to them at their own funerals, and yet you have got number— funerals, and yet you have got number ten funerals, and yet you have got numberten having funerals, and yet you have got number ten having parties and gatherings to say, good luck in your new gatherings to say, good luck in your newjob _ gatherings to say, good luck in your newjob it— gatherings to say, good luck in your newjob it is— gatherings to say, good luck in your newjob. it is absolutely staggering that the _ newjob. it is absolutely staggering that the prime minister said he found _ that the prime minister said he found himself 25 minutes at a party and he _ found himself 25 minutes at a party and he didn't know he was at a party — and he didn't know he was at a party. come on, this is getting silly— party. come on, this is getting silly now _ party. come on, this is getting silly now. it is either upsetting people — silly now. it is either upsetting people or— silly now. it is either upsetting people or the but of everybody's joke, _ people or the but of everybody's joke, and — people or the but of everybody's joke, and that is never a good place to be _ joke, and that is never a good place to be he _ joke, and that is never a good place to be. he needs to recognise his behaviour— to be. he needs to recognise his behaviour has done a lot of damage to the _ behaviour has done a lot of damage to the office and he is doing a lot of damage — to the office and he is doing a lot of damage to the conservatives, and those _ of damage to the conservatives, and those conservative mps need to recognise — those conservative mps need to recognise that and do what is right for the _ recognise that and do what is right for the public good and say, yet broken — for the public good and say, yet broken the rules, you have lied to the public, — broken the rules, you have lied to the public, you have undermined your office. _ the public, you have undermined your office. it _ the public, you have undermined your office. it is _ the public, you have undermined your office, it is time to go. we the public, you have undermined your office, it is time to go.— office, it is time to go. we will be heafina office, it is time to go. we will be hearing from _ office, it is time to go. we will be hearing from the _ office, it is time to go. we will be hearing from the prime _ office, it is time to go. we will be hearing from the prime minister. office, it is time to go. we will be | hearing from the prime minister in the next 25 minutes or so. there is no sign he is going anywhere. what to make a query is going to fight on, his allies are wrecking the tea rooms trying to shore up support. if he doesn't resign, what do you do next? it he doesn't resign, what do you do next? , , ., , , . ., next? it is up to the public. i have been speaking _ next? it is up to the public. i have been speaking to _ next? it is up to the public. i have been speaking to people - next? it is up to the public. i have been speaking to people on - next? it is up to the public. i have been speaking to people on the i been speaking to people on the doorstep — been speaking to people on the doorstep and one of the things people — doorstep and one of the things people are so upset about is the prime _ people are so upset about is the prime minister thinks he can carry on as— prime minister thinks he can carry on as normal and say there is nothing — on as normal and say there is nothing to— on as normal and say there is nothing to see here, everything is fine, _ nothing to see here, everything is fine, let's— nothing to see here, everything is fine, let's move on to this next issue — fine, let's move on to this next issue. people are not going to be able to— issue. people are not going to be able to move on until it acknowledges what he has done is wrong _ acknowledges what he has done is wrong and — acknowledges what he has done is wrong and takes the appropriate action, _ wrong and takes the appropriate action, and that is leaving the office — action, and that is leaving the office. the culture in number ten can be _ office. the culture in number ten can be restored under any party, political— can be restored under any party, political party in number ten. everym — political party in number ten. every... we have never seen anything on this— every... we have never seen anything on this astonishing nature forced. we saw— on this astonishing nature forced. we saw the scandals ofjohn major before _ we saw the scandals ofjohn major before and he dealt with it by bringing _ before and he dealt with it by bringing in the northern principles. -- northern— bringing in the northern principles. —— northern principles. bringing in the northern principles. -- northern principles.— -- northern principles. thank you for our -- northern principles. thank you for your snap _ -- northern principles. thank you for your snap reaction _ -- northern principles. thank you for your snap reaction and - -- northern principles. thank you for your snap reaction and there l for your snap reaction and there will be a lot more of this, i suspect, over the course of the afternoon. we are going to hear from borisjohnson in around 20 minutes in the commons. it is a really big moment for his leadership because there are some really damning parts of this report that talk about the culture in number ten and a lack of leadership. tory mps and opposition parties will be looking for his response, look into whether he takes responsibility and what he says he will do to try and address it, and in particular it'll be interesting to see what tory backbenchers think of what says. to see what tory backbenchers think of what says-— of what says. absolutely. and as soon as the _ of what says. absolutely. and as soon as the prime _ of what says. absolutely. and as soon as the prime minister- of what says. absolutely. and as soon as the prime minister sets | of what says. absolutely. and as i soon as the prime minister sets up in the house of commons, viewers are able to watch him live here on bbc news. 16 events were within the scope of sue gray, that is what she was looking at, she has confirmed 12 are being investigated by the metropolitan police. including a gathering on the downing street flat, up there where mr and mrs johnson live. that was on the 13th of november, 2020. a gathering, a party that number two has always denied happened at all, that is being looked at by the police —— number ten. that was the day dominic cummings left as the prime minister because my top eight. the initial findings of the report into the parties at downing street have found there were theories of leadership and judgment —— failures. the report are seen as preliminary because the metropolitan police ask for it to make minimal reference to events it is investigating. in the next 15 minutes, the prime minister will stand up in the house of commons and make a statement on what sue gray has concluded. the report may close some of the events in downing street over the lockdowns should not have been able to take place where others should not have been allowed to develop as they did. it found the excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time. some staff wanted to raise concerns about behaviour that they had witnessed at work, but at times felt unable to do so. no member of staff, she says, should feel unable to report or challenge poor conduct where they witness it. the leadership structures in number ten are fragmented and complicated, and this has sometimes led to the blurring of lines of accountability. the report also confirms that the metropolitan police are investigating 12 events on eight separate dates. including, as ijust mentioned, the gathering at the flat of the top of number ten on the 13th of november. her report concludes there is significant learning is to be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government. and she says this does not need to wait for the police investigations to be concluded. let's go back to nick eardley who is in the houses of parliament. presumably mps are crowding into the commons, into the main chamber, but what are you hearing from them as they what passed you? it hearing from them as they what passed you?— passed you? it is really interesting. _ passed you? it is really interesting. one - passed you? it is really interesting. one of - passed you? it is really interesting. one of the | passed you? it is really _ interesting. one of the gatherings you talked about has been flagged up. that one on the 13th of november. it is worth pointing out that boris johnson november. it is worth pointing out that borisjohnson did categorically deny in parliament there was a party in his flat on that night. that was on the 8th of december. he said that at prime minister's questions. i suspect there will be some mps who want to look back at what it said in the commons and see whether it houses some of what is in this report because one of the the opposition parties have said the prime minister should consider resigning is because they feel he wasn't completely truthful with the house of commons. we will hear from the prime minister in about 15 minutes, but i have got with me the liberal democrat leader ed davey as well. you have had some time to mull over the findings of the report. what is your assessment of what she said? i think it is a damning indictment of the _ i think it is a damning indictment of the prime minister, even with the strict _ of the prime minister, even with the strict limitation sue gray had for publishing this update. the fact that she — publishing this update. the fact that she talks about a failure of leadership, and unacceptable standards of behaviour, that has to id standards of behaviour, that has to go to— standards of behaviour, that has to go to the _ standards of behaviour, that has to go to the prime minister and he should — go to the prime minister and he should resign. he probably won't, but that— should resign. he probably won't, but that means conservative mps now have to _ but that means conservative mps now have to do _ but that means conservative mps now have to do their patriotic duty. it is in _ have to do their patriotic duty. it is in the — have to do their patriotic duty. it is in the interests of the nation for the — is in the interests of the nation for the prime minister to go and it is up _ for the prime minister to go and it is up to— for the prime minister to go and it is up to tory— for the prime minister to go and it is up to tory mps to stand up and be discounted — is up to tory mps to stand up and be discounted. you is up to tory mps to stand up and be discounted-— discounted. you have been calling for the prime _ discounted. you have been calling for the prime minister _ discounted. you have been calling for the prime minister to - discounted. you have been calling for the prime minister to resign i discounted. you have been calling| for the prime minister to resign for quite a few weeks now. do get any sense in the tea rooms around parliament that the mood here is changing? because some tory mps may well want to wait for the met police's investigation and potentially is some more information from sue gray in future before they make their mind up.— from sue gray in future before they make their mind up. well, i have not soken to make their mind up. well, i have not spoken to any _ make their mind up. well, i have not spoken to any mps _ make their mind up. well, i have not spoken to any mps since _ make their mind up. well, i have not spoken to any mps since this - make their mind up. well, i have not spoken to any mps since this was - spoken to any mps since this was published, — spoken to any mps since this was published, but i hope when they read it they— published, but i hope when they read it they will— published, but i hope when they read it they will have a similar take but i it they will have a similar take but i do, _ it they will have a similar take but i do. that— it they will have a similar take but i do, that they don't need to wait for the _ i do, that they don't need to wait for the met police inquiry to conclude, they don't need to wait for the _ conclude, they don't need to wait for the full— conclude, they don't need to wait for the full report to be published. this is— for the full report to be published. this is damning enough and the way that sue _ this is damning enough and the way that sue gray talks, that there is a lot more _ that sue gray talks, that there is a lot more to — that sue gray talks, that there is a lot more to come, that does suggest that the _ lot more to come, that does suggest that the by— lot more to come, that does suggest that the by minister's time will come — that the by minister's time will come he _ that the by minister's time will come, he will have to go in due course — come, he will have to go in due course and _ come, he will have to go in due course and for the national interest, _ course and for the national interest, when we have an energy crisis, _ interest, when we have an energy crisis. a _ interest, when we have an energy crisis. a cost _ interest, when we have an energy crisis, a cost of living crisis, we still— crisis, a cost of living crisis, we still have — crisis, a cost of living crisis, we still have the covid pandemic, we have _ still have the covid pandemic, we have the — still have the covid pandemic, we have the danger of rushing invading ukraine _ have the danger of rushing invading ukraine, we need someone in number ten who— ukraine, we need someone in number ten who has— ukraine, we need someone in number ten who has got stability and can focus _ ten who has got stability and can focus on — ten who has got stability and can focus on the job at hand. this prime minister— focus on the job at hand. this prime minister can't, so conservative mps must _ minister can't, so conservative mps must do _ minister can't, so conservative mps must do their patriotic duty. the must do their patriotic duty. iie: counterargument you must do their patriotic duty. "iie: counterargument you will must do their patriotic duty. i“ie: counterargument you will hear must do their patriotic duty. iie: counterargument you will hear from conservative mps and we may hear on can deep sea news this afternoon when they come to speak to us is that precisely because of things like ukraine, their attention should be elsewhere and the prime minister has a call with vladimir putin this afternoon. should that not be the focus of parliament, rather than what went on during lockdown for a couple of years ago? the what went on during lockdown for a couple of years ago?— couple of years ago? the prime minister is _ couple of years ago? the prime minister is too _ couple of years ago? the prime minister is too weak _ couple of years ago? the prime minister is too weak to - couple of years ago? the prime minister is too weak to have - couple of years ago? the prime| minister is too weak to have any effect _ minister is too weak to have any effect now. vladimir putin will know this prime _ effect now. vladimir putin will know this prime minister is seriously wounded — this prime minister is seriously wounded and that he really is not in a fit state _ wounded and that he really is not in a fit state to lead them to focus on this _ a fit state to lead them to focus on this that— a fit state to lead them to focus on this that is— a fit state to lead them to focus on this. that is why he needs to go, because — this. that is why he needs to go, because we — this. that is why he needs to go, because we do have a —— we do need to have _ because we do have a —— we do need to have a _ because we do have a —— we do need to have a per— because we do have a —— we do need to have a per minister who is able to have a per minister who is able to convey— to have a per minister who is able to convey the british support for the people of ukraine and to stand up the people of ukraine and to stand up for— the people of ukraine and to stand up forjustice there, as well as helping — up forjustice there, as well as helping millions of people with the appalling cost of living crisis, so that is— appalling cost of living crisis, so that is why— appalling cost of living crisis, so that is why he has to go and i think sue gray's— that is why he has to go and i think sue gray's update isjust further evidence — sue gray's update isjust further evidence that he has to go and on behalf— evidence that he has to go and on behalf of— evidence that he has to go and on behalf of millions of who kept to the rules, — behalf of millions of who kept to the rules, many of whom suffered traumatic— the rules, many of whom suffered traumatic loss, and made huge sacrifices, _ traumatic loss, and made huge sacrifices, the prime minister really— sacrifices, the prime minister really now— sacrifices, the prime minister really now has to look at himself in the mirror— really now has to look at himself in the mirror and if you want to go, the mirror and if you want to go, the conservative mps must push him. in the conservative mps must push him. in her— the conservative mps must push him. in her report, — the conservative mps must push him. in her report, sue gray talks about significant learning to be drawn from events, which should be addressed immediately across government. it is quite possible that boris johnson government. it is quite possible that borisjohnson will come to the house of commons in the next 20 minutes and seek to do that, to talk about changes he might make, perhaps of personnel, perhaps of wider culture in number ten. would that be enough? culture in number ten. would that be enou:h? ~,,. , culture in number ten. would that be enou:h? ~ , ., ., , enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister— enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister will— enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister will do _ enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister will do one _ enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister will do one of - enough? absolutely not. i am sure the banister will do one of his - the banister will do one of his false — the banister will do one of his false apologies, we'll try to blame staff and _ false apologies, we'll try to blame staff and move staff. he has to take responsibility. you know, ithink staff and move staff. he has to take responsibility. you know, i think he is the _ responsibility. you know, i think he is the worst— responsibility. you know, i think he is the worst british prime minister we have _ is the worst british prime minister we have ever had. i don't say that lightly _ we have ever had. i don't say that lightly i_ we have ever had. i don't say that lightly. i think the way he has behaved _ lightly. i think the way he has behaved and frankly the bed where he was governing the country beforehand, you know, iactually think— beforehand, you know, iactually think he — beforehand, you know, iactually think he has managed the pandemic very badly — think he has managed the pandemic very badly. late into lockdown, failing — very badly. late into lockdown, failing to — very badly. late into lockdown, failing to protect our care homes, that is— failing to protect our care homes, that is one — failing to protect our care homes, that is one of the reasons why the death— that is one of the reasons why the death rates— that is one of the reasons why the death rates in the uk from covid is one of— death rates in the uk from covid is one of the — death rates in the uk from covid is one of the highest in the world. i think— one of the highest in the world. i think this — one of the highest in the world. i think this prime minister has been a very poor— think this prime minister has been a very poor prime minister and now that we _ very poor prime minister and now that we are — very poor prime minister and now that we are sure he lied to parliament and broke the rules, he really— parliament and broke the rules, he really must — parliament and broke the rules, he really must go. parliament and broke the rules, he really must go— really must go. what do you do if boris johnson _ really must go. what do you do if boris johnson does _ really must go. what do you do if boris johnson does not _ really must go. what do you do if boris johnson does not resign? i really must go. what do you do if. boris johnson does not resign? we borisjohnson does not resign? we were asking angela rayner from the labour party that in the last half hour on bbc news and that does not seem to be an answer. borisjohnson does not seem minded to resign, he made that pretty clear at pm cues last week. you don't really have the power to force him out. this is largely down to conservative mps, isn't it? ~ . isn't it? well, in the first instance. _ isn't it? well, in the first instance, it _ isn't it? well, in the first instance, it is _ isn't it? well, in the first instance, it is certainly i isn't it? well, in the first - instance, it is certainly down to conservative mps and that is why they need — conservative mps and that is why they need to do their patriotic duty and get _ they need to do their patriotic duty and get rid — they need to do their patriotic duty and get rid of him in the national interest — and get rid of him in the national interest if— and get rid of him in the national interest. if we want to do that, they— interest. if we want to do that, they are — interest. if we want to do that, they are guilty by association and they are guilty by association and the whole — they are guilty by association and the whole of the conservative party, all of _ the whole of the conservative party, all of the _ the whole of the conservative party, all of the mps are tainted by their failure _ all of the mps are tainted by their failure to— all of the mps are tainted by their failure to do the right thing. obviously opposition parties will do all that— obviously opposition parties will do all that we can to hold this prime minister— all that we can to hold this prime minister to — all that we can to hold this prime minister to account and we will find as many— minister to account and we will find as many ways as we can. i want to work— as many ways as we can. i want to work with— as many ways as we can. i want to work with backbench conservative mps as well— work with backbench conservative mps as well as _ work with backbench conservative mps as well as other opposition parties to try— as well as other opposition parties to try to— as well as other opposition parties to try to get this appalling per minister... you know, he is a scoundret _ minister... you know, he is a scoundrel. he is absolutely shocking. i think people looking at our country— shocking. i think people looking at our country are open—mouthed. i think— our country are open—mouthed. i think he — our country are open—mouthed. i think he is— our country are open—mouthed. i think he is bringing british democracy into disrepute. he really must _ democracy into disrepute. he really must go _ democracy into disrepute. he really must go and conservative mps have -ot must go and conservative mps have got to— must go and conservative mps have got to wake up and smell the coffee. all right. _ got to wake up and smell the coffee. all right, ed davey, thanks so much. i know you need to get into the chamber, so i will let you get away for that statement from the prime minister. you heard it there, victoria, some of the pressure we are going to see from mps in parliament over the course of this afternoon is notjust going to be on the government, it is going to be from tory backbenchers as well. for the last weeks when i have been son icky and asking tory mps what they think about the by minister's future, the vast majority of them have said, let's wait for the sue gray report. we know this is not the full thing, we know the met police are looking into this as well and i suspect some will say we want to wait for see what the metropolitan police say about this as well, but the interesting thing will be who breaks cover over the next hours to say we need to vote borisjohnson out? i will try to get some conservative mps to speak to you, but we will bring them to you here soon as we get them.— but we will bring them to you here soon as we get them. thank you very much, soon as we get them. thank you very much. nick. — soon as we get them. thank you very much. nick- we _ soon as we get them. thank you very much, nick. we are _ soon as we get them. thank you very much, nick. we are going _ soon as we get them. thank you very much, nick. we are going to - soon as we get them. thank you very much, nick. we are going to bring i much, nick. we are going to bring the former permanent secretary at the former permanent secretary at the department for exiting the european union, philip rycroft. hello to you. i think you might be on mute, sir, so might have to unmute yourself.— on mute, sir, so might have to unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes — unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes indeed, _ unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes indeed, we _ unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes indeed, we can. - unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes indeed, we can. i- unmute yourself. can you hear me now? yes indeed, we can. i want. unmute yourself. can you hear me | now? yes indeed, we can. i want to ask ou now? yes indeed, we can. i want to ask you something _ now? yes indeed, we can. i want to ask you something very _ now? yes indeed, we can. i want to ask you something very specific. itl ask you something very specific. it is about the 13th of november 2020, gathering on the number 10 downing street flat, which we now know, thanks to sue gray's report, that the metropolitan police are investigating. number ten denied that a party or event or gathering ever took place in the number 10 downing street flat and on the eighth december the prime minister was asked directly by a labour mp called catherine west, was there a party in november 2020 in the downing street flat? and the prime minister said, downing street flat? and the prime ministersaid, no. how significant is that? minister said, no. how significant is that? . . minister said, no. how significant is that? , , ., , minister said, no. how significant isthat? , , ., , , is that? this is potentially very significant. _ is that? this is potentially very significant, as _ is that? this is potentially very significant, as often _ is that? this is potentially very significant, as often with i is that? this is potentially veryj significant, as often with these things. you have got the original event, the original happening that people have been concerned about, proper investigations into all that, but then you have got the reaction into people asking those questions and the denials and the cover—ups are going to, in some cases, be more damaging than the original problem that had been identified. but in this case, misleading parliament breaches the ministerial code. no two ways about that, so this is very serious and it will be up to members of parliament to make up their minds, how they respond to that and given that the conservative party clearly have a big majority in the house of commons, this falls to conservative mps to make up their minds as to how they deal with what may be seen as an egregious breach of the ministerial code.— of the ministerial code. right. i mean come _ of the ministerial code. right. i mean come on _ of the ministerial code. right. i mean come on the _ of the ministerial code. right. i mean come on the face - of the ministerial code. right. i mean come on the face of i of the ministerial code. right. i mean come on the face of it, i of the ministerial code. right. i. mean come on the face of it, philip rycroft, do you think that is a lie? well, i am rycroft, do you think that is a lie? well, iam not rycroft, do you think that is a lie? well, i am not the met police, nor am i sue gray, so i have not gone across all the detail of this, but if there is now evidence, incontrovertible evidence that something happened and the prime minister says it did not happen, most of us would put a construction mat to say he did not tell the truth. —— a construction on that. what is your reaction to sue gray's findings more generally? more generally. _ findings more generally? more generally. a — findings more generally? more generally, a little _ findings more generally? more generally, a little bit— findings more generally? more generally, a little bit as - generally, a little bit as anticipated. she has had to clearly pull her punches because of the met police investigation. she has confirmed a lot of what we knew and gone a bit further than that, but she has also made it clear that what was happening was unacceptable. there were serious failings here to uphold the standards that are expected of people in government, be they ministers, special advisers or civil servants. they ministers, special advisers or civilservants. but, they ministers, special advisers or civil servants. but, you know, the frustrating thing for a lot of us, of course, is that this still has the feel of an interim report, an interim position because she is saying this is an update. i have not been able to publish everything that i have gathered pending the met police during their work. she said that, so this saga may well trundle on for some time yet. aha, that, so this saga may well trundle on for some time yet.— on for some time yet. a number of times, on for some time yet. a number of times. sue — on for some time yet. a number of times. sue gray — on for some time yet. a number of times, sue gray does _ on for some time yet. a number of times, sue gray does point - on for some time yet. a number of times, sue gray does point out i on for some time yet. a number of times, sue gray does point out in l times, sue gray does point out in her report what was going on across the rest of the country, meaning pretty much everybody was impacted somehow by the pandemic, and by and large, most people were sticking to the rules. she says, everyone has made personal sacrifices, some of the most profound because people were unable to see loved ones in their last moments or care for vulnerable family or friends. how important do you think it is that she does mention that in about times in her report? [30 she does mention that in about times in her report?— in her report? do no? i think that is so important — in her report? do no? i think that is so important and _ in her report? do no? i think that is so important and it _ in her report? do no? i think that is so important and it is - in her report? do no? i think that| is so important and it is important for the country at large, but there is another set of people for whom this is very important, which are civil servants themselves because the vast majority of civil servants will have done their duty through the pandemic, supporting the country and helping people to get through this and will have suffered themselves, family tragedies, they will have, like everybody else, have gone through privations by abiding by the bulls, so everybody needs to hear that and understand it. folks like sue gray absolutely get that this is why she points out it is not just a failure to observe the high standards that are expected of people in government, but it was to observe the standards which were expected of everybody else at the time. . .. expected of everybody else at the time. . ~' ,, , . expected of everybody else at the time. . ,. ,, , . ., time. thank you very much for talkin: time. thank you very much for talking to _ time. thank you very much for talking to us. _ time. thank you very much for talking to us, philip _ time. thank you very much for talking to us, philip rycroft, i time. thank you very much for- talking to us, philip rycroft, thank you. we are coming up to 3:30pm and it is around that time that the prime minister is expected to get to his feet in the house of commons address the house of commons. and we all want to hear what year is to say after sue gray has released her partial report. before that, let's go to hartlepool. our news correspondent, luxmy gopal, was there. you might remember, that was a seat gamed by the conservatives in the last year. a seat gamed by the conservatives in the last year-— the last year. hello. hello, victoria- — the last year. hello. hello, victoria. that's _ the last year. hello. hello, victoria. that's right, i the last year. hello. hello, victoria. that's right, yes, | the last year. hello. hello, i victoria. that's right, yes, in the by—election in may hartlepool went from red to blue. it voted in its first conservative mp in decades, but of course how has feeling changed, if it has, as a result of some of the things that have emerged to do with the downing street party is, in particular the initial findings from sue gray today? i am joined now by mr patterson, —— bis pattinson, who is one of the many business owners here in hartlepool. lucy, ijust want business owners here in hartlepool. lucy, i just want to get your thoughts that sue gray has made a failure of leadership for allowing parties to take place in downing street over lockdown. would you make of the prime minister's leadership and what this reflects? i of the prime minister's leadership and what this reflects?— and what this reflects? i think the easiest way _ and what this reflects? i think the easiest way for _ and what this reflects? i think the easiest way for me _ and what this reflects? i think the easiest way for me to _ and what this reflects? i think the easiest way for me to make i and what this reflects? i think the j easiest way for me to make sense and what this reflects? i think the i easiest way for me to make sense of any of— easiest way for me to make sense of any of this— easiest way for me to make sense of any of this is— easiest way for me to make sense of any of this is as part of my country. _ any of this is as part of my country. i_ any of this is as part of my country, i lead a team and day... and _ country, i lead a team and day... and just — country, i lead a team and day... and just to— country, i lead a team and day... and just to clarify, that is your company or florists?— and just to clarify, that is your company or florists? yes, but i lead a team and — company or florists? yes, but i lead a team and company _ company or florists? yes, but i lead a team and company of— company or florists? yes, but i lead a team and company of small i company or florists? yes, but i lead i a team and company of small business owners— a team and company of small business owners and _ a team and company of small business owners and they allowed me to lead them _ owners and they allowed me to lead them because i did that with integrity and i think they are the founding — integrity and i think they are the founding principles for any leader, whether— founding principles for any leader, whether you are leading a business, 'ust whether you are leading a business, just leading your family, even, but to lead _ just leading your family, even, but to lead a _ just leading your family, even, but to lead a company and to lead a government, you know, a whole country. — government, you know, a whole country, then i think the lack of integrity— country, then i think the lack of integrity and lack of empathy he has shown— integrity and lack of empathy he has shown at— integrity and lack of empathy he has shown at this stage is absolutely appalling. shown at this stage is absolutely a- orallin. shown at this stage is absolutely anallina. ., , ., ,., appalling. some conservatives and su orters appalling. some conservatives and supporters of _ appalling. some conservatives and supporters of the _ appalling. some conservatives and supporters of the prime _ appalling. some conservatives and supporters of the prime minister. supporters of the prime minister would argue that he has apologised. i would say that he has said he is sorry. _ i would say that he has said he is sorry. but— i would say that he has said he is sorry. but if— i would say that he has said he is sorry, but if he hasn't actually accepted _ sorry, but if he hasn't actually accepted his part of what has happened. so he has apologised that we have _ happened. so he has apologised that we have misunderstood the situation, he has _ we have misunderstood the situation, he has apologised for the actions of others. _ he has apologised for the actions of others. but — he has apologised for the actions of others, but it is about time that he apologise — others, but it is about time that he apologise for his wrongdoing in this _ apologise for his wrongdoing in this. . , ., ., apologise for his wrongdoing in this. . ., this. hartlepool, as i have mentioned, _ this. hartlepool, as i have mentioned, swung - this. hartlepool, as i have mentioned, swung to i this. hartlepool, as i have mentioned, swung to the | mentioned, swung to the conservatives in the by—election. do you think the reasons people had for voting for him back then will carry them through to continuei think there's probably a lot of people still in hartlepool that will continue to vote conservative off the back of that, but this was a brexit town, and that was the reason the majority of people then voted conservative and i think what we have seen through the pandemic is that much scandal and that many lies that much scandal and that many lies that we _ that much scandal and that many lies that we are _ that much scandal and that many lies that we are now aware of that it is harsh. _ that we are now aware of that it is harsh. but— that we are now aware of that it is harsh, but maybe we have been made., so people _ harsh, but maybe we have been made., so people are _ harsh, but maybe we have been made., so people are perhaps questioning whether— so people are perhaps questioning whether they rate made the right choice _ whether they rate made the right choice. , ., ,, i. whether they rate made the right choice. , . ~' ,, . whether they rate made the right choice. , ., «i i. ., , choice. lucy, thank you. that is 'ust one choice. lucy, thank you. that is just one view — choice. lucy, thank you. that is just one view from _ choice. lucy, thank you. that is just one view from one - choice. lucy, thank you. that is just one view from one person l choice. lucy, thank you. that is i just one view from one person and i will be speaking to lots of people here in this town, who'll be feeling strong thoughts about what has come out today, and obviously we'll be hearing what the prime minister has to say and just a moment. yes. hearing what the prime minister has to say and just a moment.— to say and 'ust a moment. yes, do sta with to say and just a moment. yes, do stay with us _ to say and just a moment. yes, do stay with us for — to say and just a moment. yes, do stay with us for that _ to say and just a moment. yes, do stay with us for that because - to say and just a moment. yes, do stay with us for that because i - stay with us for that because i think everybody wants to hear what borisjohnson is going to say about what sue gray has reported and, again, these are just the interim findings, the partial report, if you like, while the met police continues its investigation. we now know the met police are investigating i2 gatherings out of 16 sue gray has listed today. let's go back to nick eardley, who is in parliament. have you managed to catch any more conservative mps on their the big question they are going to have of the next hour or so is how borisjohnson is going to address some of the serious allegations that are in sue gray's report, the various allegations of the failure of leadership in downing street and the cabinet office, and the fact the met are now looking into events that borisjohnson is said to have been at and one in particular that took place in the number ten flat. there's a lot riding on the statement. we do not have the full findings, there is still at met investigating to take place. but there are many tory mps who are waiting to see how borisjohnson reacts to this report before deciding what to do next. some are unhappy with his leadership, unhappy with his handling of the last few weeks and if he doesn't address this the next hour in the commons, it is possible there might be some tory mps who call for him to go. we will not know that until after the statement. i would expect to hear from the prime minister something more of an apology. it is a pretty packed commons at the moment. i expect to hear more of an apology from borisjohnson and also potentially some talk of how he will address the culture, perhaps even staffing issues in number ten of in the next few months. he hasjust walked into the commons just now. a lot of this will be, as well as what opposition mps say, it will be about how boris johnson�*s opposition mps say, it will be about how borisjohnson�*s backbenchers react. did they think this is damning of the prime minister enough for them to call for him to go. there are some who think this might not be as bad as it could have been because certain events have been left out at the request of the met police, but i think we can cross to the commons now where borisjohnson is about to give his reaction to the report. let's hearfrom the is about to give his reaction to the report. let's hear from the speaker at lindsay hoyle. i report. let's hear from the speaker at lindsay hoyle.— report. let's hear from the speaker at lindsay hoyle. i now come to this statement. — at lindsay hoyle. i now come to this statement, prime _ at lindsay hoyle. i now come to this statement, prime minister. - at lindsay hoyle. i now come to this statement, prime minister. thank. at lindsay hoyle. i now come to this l statement, prime minister. thank you ve much. statement, prime minister. thank you very much- with _ statement, prime minister. thank you very much. with your _ statement, prime minister. thank you very much. with your permission - statement, prime minister. thank you very much. with your permission i - very much. with your permission i would like to make a statement. first i wanted to express my deepest gratitude to sue gray and all the people who have contributed to this report, which i've placed in the library of this house in which the government has published in full today for everyone to read. i will address its findings in this statement, but personally i want to say sorry. and i am sorry for the things we simply didn't get right and sorry for the way this matter has been handled. it is no use saying this or that was within the rules, it's no use saying people were working hard. this pandemic was hard for everyone. we asked people across this country to make the most extraordinary sacrifices, not to meet loved ones, not to visit relatives before they died and i understand the anger that people feel. it is not enough to say sorry. this is a moment when we must look at ourselves in the mirror and we must learn. and while the metropolitan police must yet complete their investigation, and that means there is no details of specific events in the report, i, of course, except her general findings in full. and above all her recommendation that we must learn from these events and act now. with respect to the events under police investigation, she says and i quote, no conclusions should be drawn or inferences made from this other than it is now for the police to consider the relevant material in relation to these incidents, but more broadly she finds that there is significant learning to be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across government. this does not need to wait for the police investigations to be concluded. that is why we are making changes now to the way downing street and the cabinet office run, so that we can get on with the job that i was elected to do anyjob that this government was to do. first, it is time to sort out what to sue gray rightly calls the fragmented and convoluted leadership structures of downing street, which she says have not evolved sufficiently to meet the demands and expansion of number ten. we will do that, including creating an office of the prime minister with an office of the prime minister with a permanent secretary to number ten. second,it a permanent secretary to number ten. second, it is clear from the report that it second, it is clear from the report thatitis second, it is clear from the report that it is time notjust to review the civil service and special adviser codes of conduct wherever necessary, to ensure they take account of her recommendations, the author to make sure those codes are properly enforced. —— but also to make sure. third, i will be saying more in the coming days about the steps we will take to improve the two operation and the work of the cabinet office, to strengthen cabinet office, to strengthen cabinet government and to improve the vital connection between number ten and parliament. mr speaker, i get it and i will fix it. and i want to say to the people of this country, i know what the issue is. yes, mr speaker, yes, it is whether this government can be trusted to deliver and i say, yes, we can be trusted. we can be trusted to deliver. we said we would get brexit�*s done and we did. and we are setting out free ports around the whole of the united kingdom, i have been to one today, which is creating tens of thousands of newjobs. we said we would get this country through covid and we did. we delivered the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe and the fastest booster programme of any major economy, so that we have been able to restore a people's freedoms faster than any comparable economy. at the same time, we've been cutting crime by ili%, building iii new hospitals and ruling out gigabyte broadband and delivering all the promises of our 2019 agenda, so we have the fastest economic growth of the g7. we have shown that we have done things that people thought were impossible, mr speaker, and that we can deliverfor the impossible, mr speaker, and that we can deliver for the british impossible, mr speaker, and that we can deliverfor the british people. i will remind the benches opposite, the reason we are coming out of covid so vast is at least partly because we doubled the speed of the booster roll—out and i can tell the house, and this country, that we are going to bring the same energy and commitment to getting on with the job to delivering for the british people and to our mission to unite and level up across this country, and level up across this country, and i commend this statement to the house. i and i commend this statement to the house. ., u, and i commend this statement to the house. ., u, ,, ., house. i now call keir starmer, the leader of the _ house. i now call keir starmer, the leader of the opposition. - house. i now call keir starmer, the leader of the opposition. thank . house. i now call keir starmer, the i leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker- — leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker- i — leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker. i would _ leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker. i would like _ leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker. i would like to _ leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker. i would like to thank- mr speaker. i would like to thank sue gray for the diligence and professionalism with which she has carried out her work. it is no fault of hers that she has only been able to produce an update today, not the full reports. the prime minister repeatedly assured the house that the guidance was followed and the rules were followed. but we now know that 12 cases have reached the threshold for criminal investigation. which, i remain to be house, means there is evidence of serious and flagrant breaches of lockdown, including the party on the 20th of may, 2020, which we know the prime minister attended and the party on the 13th of november, 2020, indian prime minister's flat. there can be no doubt the prime minister himself is not subject to a criminal investigation. —— in the. the prime minister must keep his promise to publish the report in full when it is available, but it is already clear of the report discloses the most damning conclusion possible. over the last two years, the british public have been asked to make the most heart wrenching sacrifices, a collective trauma, endured by all, enjoyed by none. funerals have been missed, dying relatives and visited, every family has been marked by what we have been through. and revelations about the prime minister's behaviour have forced us all to rethink and relive those darkest moments. many have been overcome by rage, by grief and even guilt. guilt that because they stuck to the law they did not see their parents one last time. guilt is that because they did not bend the rules, their children went months without seeing friends. guilt is that because they did as they were asked, they didn't go and visit will be relatives. but people should not feel guilty, they should feel pride in themselves and the country, because by abiding by those reels, they have saved the lives of people they have saved the lives of people they will probably never meet. they have shown the deep public spirit and the love and respect for others that has always characterised this nation at its best. our national story about covid is one of the people that stood up when they were tested, but that will be forever tainted by the behaviour of this conservative prime minister. by routinely breaking the rules he set, the prime minister took us all for fools, he held people's sacrifice in contempt, he showed himself unfit for office. his desperate denial since he was exposed have only made matters worse. rather than come clean, every step of the way, he has insulted the public plasma intelligence. and now he has finally fallen back on his usual excuse. it is everybody's fault but his. they go, he says. even now he is hiding behind a police investigation into criminality, into his home and his office. mr speaker, he gleefully treats what should be a mark of shame as a welcome shield. but, prime minister, the british public are not fools, they never breathed a word of it. they think the prime minister she did the decent thing and resign. of course, he won't. he is a man without shame. and just as he has done throughout his life, he has damaged everyone and everything around him along the way. his colleagues have spent weeks defending the indefensible. touring the tv studios, parroting his absurd denials, degrading themselves and their officers. fraying the bond of trust between the government... i expect better from my neighbours. fraying _ expect better from my neighbours. fraying the bond of trust between the government and the public, eroding our democracy and the rule of law. margaret thatcher once said, the first duty of government is to uphold the law. if it tries to bob and weave and duck around that duty when it is inconvenient, then so will be government. to govern this country is an honour. not a birthright. it is an act of service to the british people, not the keys to the british people, not the keys to a court to parade it to your friends. it requires honesty, integrity and moral authority. i cannot tell you how many times people are said to me that this prime minister's lack of integrity is somehow priced in. but his behaviour and character do not matter. i have never accepted that. i never will accept that. whatever your politics, whichever party you vote for, honesty and decency matters, our great democracy depends on it, and cherishing and nurturing british democracy is what it means to be patriotic. there are members of the sick to know that. and they know the prime minister is incapable of it. —— there are members opposite. the question they must ask themselves is what are they going to do about it? they can keep their reputations, the repetition of the party, the repetition of this country on the bonfire that is his leadership, orthey country on the bonfire that is his leadership, or they can spare the country from a prime minister totally unworthy of his response abilities —— reputation. it is their duty to do so. they know better than anyone how unsuitable he is for high office, many of them knew in their hearts that we would inevitably come to this one day. and they know that as night follows day, continuing his leadership will mean further misconduct and deceit. it is only the that can end this farce, the eyes of the country are upon them. they will be judged by the decisions they take now. they will be judged by the decisions they take nova— they will be judged by the decisions they take now._ mr. they take now. prime minister. mr seaker, they take now. prime minister. mr speaker. there _ they take now. prime minister. mr speaker, there is _ they take now. prime minister. mr speaker, there is a _ they take now. prime minister. mr speaker, there is a reason - they take now. prime minister. mr speaker, there is a reason why - they take now. prime minister. mr speaker, there is a reason why he | speaker, there is a reason why he has said absolutely nothing about the report that was presented by this government. that is because the report does absolutely nothing to substantiate the tissue of nonsense he has just spoken. substantiate the tissue of nonsense he hasjust spoken. absolutely nothing, absolutely nothing. instead, mr speaker, this leader of the opposition, a former director of public swimming public prosecutions, he spent most of his time prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute jimmy prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecutejimmy savile, he chose to prosecutejimmy savile, he chose to use this moment continually to prejudge a police inquiry. that is what he chose to do. he has reached his conclusions about it, i am not going to reach any conclusions and he will be entirely wrong to do so. i direct him again to what sue gray saysin i direct him again to what sue gray says in her report about the conclusions that can be drawn from her inquiry about what the police may or may not do. i have complete confidence in the police and i hope they will be allowed simply to get on with theirjob and i don't propose to offer any more commentary about it, and i do not believe he should either. i must say to him, that what i think... what i think the country, with greatest respect to the benches opposite, i think the country want is us all in this house to focus on the issues that matter to focus on the issues that matter to them. and getting on with taking this country forward and, mr speaker, today we have delivered yet more brexit freedoms with a new report in tilbury, when he voted 48 times to take this country back into the eu. we have the most open society, most open economy... this is what people want us to focus on. we have the most open society and economy in europe because of the vaccine will not, because of the booster roll—out and he voted to keep us in the european agency which would have made that impossible and today we are standing together with our nato allies against the potential aggression of vladimir putin when he wanted, not so long ago, to install a prime minister, a labour leader who had actually have abolished native. that is what he believes in. those are his priorities. i say to him, he can continue with his political opportunities. we are going to get on that i am going to get on with the job! cheering. quiet! theresa may. cheering. quiet! theresa ma. ., ~ cheering. quiet! theresa ma . ., ~ cheering. quiet! theresa ma. ., ~ ~ quiet! theresa may. thank you, mr seaker. quiet! theresa may. thank you, mr speaker- the _ quiet! theresa may. thank you, mr speaker. the covid _ quiet! theresa may. thank you, mr speaker. the covid regulations - speaker. the covid regulations imposed significant restrictions on the freedoms of the members of the public. they had arrived to expect their prime minister to have read their prime minister to have read the rules, to have understood the meaning of the rules and indeed for those around them to have done so to and to have set an example in following those rules. what the sue gray report does show is that number 10 downing street was not observing the regulations they had imposed on members of the public, so either my right honourable friend had not read the rules or did not understand what they meant and others around him or they meant and others around him or they did not think the rules applied to number ten. which was at? cheering . with respect to my right honourable friend... it . with respect to my right honourable friend. . .- . with respect to my right honourable friend... it is a very important _ honourable friend... it is a very important question. _ honourable friend. .. it is a very important question. i _ honourable friend... it is a very important question. i want - honourable friend... it is a very important question. i want to i honourable friend... it is a very i important question. i want to hear the answer. — important question. i want to hear the answer, even if other people don't _ the answer, even if other people don't fulh — don't prime the answer, even if other people don'- ~ , ., the answer, even if other people don'. ~ , ., ' don't prime minister? no, mr speaker. _ don't prime minister? no, mr speaker. that _ don't prime minister? no, mr speaker, that is _ don't prime minister? no, mr speaker, that is not - don't prime minister? no, mr speaker, that is not what - don't prime minister? no, mr speaker, that is not what the | don't prime minister? no, mr- speaker, that is not what the sue gray report says. but i suggest that she waits to see the conclusion of the inquiry. i she waits to see the conclusion of the inquiry-— the inquiry. i now come to the leader of— the inquiry. i now come to the leader of the _ the inquiry. i now come to the leader of the snp, _ the inquiry. i now come to the leader of the snp, ian - the inquiry. i now come to the i leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank_ leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank you. — leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank you, mr speakerand make i say thank you, mr speaker and make i say it is a pleasure to follow the former prime minister and perhaps her behaviour in office, like many that went before her, was about dignity, about the importance of the office, about respect, truthfulness and the prime minister would be well advised to focus on those who have not dishonoured the office like he has done. mr speaker, we stand here today faced with the systematic disinformation and public trust of the government at the institution of the government at the institution of the state and at its heart, a prime minister... a prime minister being investigated by the police. so here we have it. the long awaited sue gray report. what a farce. it was carefully engineered to be a fact—finding exercise with no conclusions. now we find it is a fact—finding exercise with no facts! laughter so let's talk facts. the prime minister has told the house that all guidance was completely followed. there was no party. covid rules were followed and that, i believed it was a work event. nobody, nobody believed it then and nobody, nobody believes you now, prime minister. that is the crux. no ifs, no buts. he has wilfully, wilfully misled parliament. it he has wilfully, wilfully misled parliament.— he has wilfully, wilfully misled parliament. it is bad enough... order! inadvertently _ parliament. it is bad enough... order! inadvertently misled - parliament. it is bad enough... | order! inadvertently misled the house — order! inadvertently misled the house would be acceptable. misled the house is not acceptable. inadvertently. the prime minister inadvertently told the house on the 8th of december that no parties had taken place and then had to admit that they had to. it is bad enough, mr speaker, that the prime minister's personal integrity is in the ditch, but this murky business is tainting everything around it. it is tainting everything around it. it is our intention to submit a motion instructing the prime minister to publish the sue gray report in full. will the prime minister obey an instruction by this house to publish as required? mr speaker, amidst allegations of blackmail by tory whips, the members opposite have been defending the indefensible. wait for the report, we were told. well, here it is and it tells us very little, except it does state that there were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number ten. it states that some events should not have been allowed to take place. that is the prime minister's responsibility. if there is any honour, any honour in public life, then he would resign. wright jeers. and he laughs. and the prime minister laughs. we ought to remind ourselves in this house of the 150,000 plus of our citizens have lost their lives. family members that could not be with them. and that could not be with them. and thatis that could not be with them. and that is the site that people will remember. a prime minister laughing at our public. i extend the hand of friendship to all those that have sacrificed. i certainly do not extend the hand of friendship to the prime minister, who is no friend of mine. cheering. where is the shame? where is the dignity? meanwhile, the police investigation will drag on and on. every moment the prime minister stays, trust in government and the rule of law is ebbing away. the litany of rule breaking, the culture of contempt, the utter disdain for the anguish felt by the public who have sacrificed so much. what the public see is a man who has debased the office of prime minister, shirked responsibility, dodged accountability and blamed his staff at every turn, presided over by sleaze and corruption have untainted the very institution of the state. in short, mr speaker... jeers laughter. well, they can laugh. they can laugh. but the public know this is a man they can no longer trust. he is being investigated by the police. he has misled the house. he must now resign! has misled the house. he must now resin! ., ., ., resign! order. you will have to withdraw that _ resign! order. you will have to withdraw that last _ resign! order. you will have to withdraw that last comment. l resign! order. you will have to l withdraw that last comment. mr withdraw that last comment. speaker, i withdraw that last comment. ii speaker, i gave the evidence of the 8th of december.— speaker, i gave the evidence of the 8th of december. order! you're going to have to withdraw _ 8th of december. order! you're going to have to withdraw misled. _ 8th of december. order! you're going to have to withdraw misled. mr - to have to withdraw misled. speaker, to have to withdraw misled. ii speaker, the prime minister has misled the house!— misled the house! unless you withdraw. _ misled the house! unless you withdraw. i — misled the house! unless you withdraw, iwill— misled the house! unless you withdraw, i will have - misled the house! unless you withdraw, i will have to - misled the house! unless you withdraw, i will have to stop l misled the house! unless you i withdraw, i will have to stop and that is_ withdraw, i will have to stop and that is not — withdraw, i will have to stop and that is not good. just withdraw the words _ that is not good. just withdraw the words |_ that is not good. just withdraw the words. ., , ., , ., , words. i am standing up for my constituents _ words. i am standing up for my constituents that _ words. i am standing up for my constituents that you _ words. i am standing up for my constituents that you know - words. i am standing up for my| constituents that you know that words. i am standing up for my - constituents that you know that this prime minister has lied and has misled the give me the paper. git“? misled the give me the paper. give me the paper- _ misled the give me the paper. give me the paper. inadvertently misled, it will_ me the paper. inadvertently misled, it will give _ me the paper. inadvertently misled, it will give you one more chance. as leader— it will give you one more chance. as leader of— it will give you one more chance. as leader of the — it will give you one more chance. as leader of the snp, i don't want to have _ leader of the snp, i don't want to have to _ leader of the snp, i don't want to have to throw you out. i'm going to -ive have to throw you out. i'm going to give you _ have to throw you out. i'm going to give you this — have to throw you out. i'm going to give you this chance.— give you this chance. please. mr seaker, give you this chance. please. mr speaker. that — give you this chance. please. mr speaker, that man _ give you this chance. please. mr speaker, that man has - give you this chance. please. mr speaker, that man has misled . give you this chance. please. mr. speaker, that man has misled the house! ,, ., , ., , house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this _ house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this and _ house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this and i _ house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this and i am _ house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this and i am sorry - house! shot up. i am sorry it has come to this and i am sorry that l house! shot up. i am sorry it has i come to this and i am sorry that the leader— come to this and i am sorry that the leader of— come to this and i am sorry that the leader of the party has not got the decency— leader of the party has not got the decencyjust to withdraw those words. — decencyjust to withdraw those words. in — decencyjust to withdraw those words, in order that this debate can be represented by all political leaders — be represented by all political leaders. would you like to inadvertently? if leaders. would you like to inadvertently?— leaders. would you like to inadvertently? leaders. would you like to inadvertentl ? , , inadvertently? if the prime minister has inadvertently _ inadvertently? if the prime minister has inadvertently misled _ inadvertently? if the prime minister has inadvertently misled the - inadvertently? if the prime minister| has inadvertently misled the house, then i will state that.— then i will state that. right, we are auoin then i will state that. right, we are going to — then i will state that. right, we are going to leave _ then i will state that. right, we are going to leave it _ then i will state that. right, we are going to leave it at - then i will state that. right, we are going to leave it at that. i then i will state that. right, we i are going to leave it at that. prime ministeh _ are going to leave it at that. prime minister. mr are going to leave it at that. prime minister. ~ ,,, ., ,, are going to leave it at that. prime minister. . ,,, ., «i are going to leave it at that. prime minister. i ,,, ., «i ., minister. mr speaker, i... i am rateful minister. mr speaker, i... i am grateful to _ minister. mr speaker, i... i am grateful to the _ minister. mr speaker, i... i am grateful to the right _ minister. mr speaker, i... i am| grateful to the right honourable gentleman for withdrawing what he just said because he was wrong then and he is wrong in his analysis and i have apologised, as i have said, for all the suffering people have had throughout this pandemic and for the anger people feel about what has taken place in number 10 downing street, but i have got to tell the right honourable gentleman that for much of what he has said, his best course is simply to wait for the inquiry to be concluded. can course is simply to wait for the inquiry to be concluded.- course is simply to wait for the inquiry to be concluded. can i 'ust sa , take inquiry to be concluded. can i 'ust say. take the fi inquiry to be concluded. can i 'ust say, take the honourable i inquiry to be concluded. can ijust i say, take the honourable lumumba has withdrawn _ say, take the honourable lumumba has withdrawn it. _ say, take the honourable lumumba has withdrawn it, the right honourable member? — withdrawn it, the right honourable member? ., withdrawn it, the right honourable member? . , , withdrawn it, the right honourable member? . . , member? that the prime minister may have inadvertently _ member? that the prime minister may have inadvertently misled _ member? that the prime minister may have inadvertently misled the - member? that the prime minister may have inadvertently misled the house. i have inadvertently misled the house. order! to help me, to help the house, — order! to help me, to help the house, you have withdrawn your earlier— house, you have withdrawn your earlier comment and replace it with inadvertently? it is earlier comment and replace it with inadvertently?— inadvertently? it is not not my fault if the _ inadvertently? it is not not my fault if the prime _ inadvertently? it is not not my fault if the prime minister i inadvertently? it is not not my i fault if the prime minister cannot be trusted with the truth! jeers fe jeers . on the -ower igen me b the . on the power given me by the standing order— . on the power given me by the standing order 43, _ . on the power given me by the standing order 43, i _ . on the power given me by the standing order 43, i ordered i . on the power given me by the| standing order 43, i ordered the honourable member to withdraw this from the _ honourable member to withdraw this from the house. he has left anyway, that is_ from the house. he has left anyway, that is all— from the house. he has left anyway, that is all right, we don't need to hothen _ that is all right, we don't need to bother. let's move on.— that is all right, we don't need to bother. let's move on. thus my right honourable — bother. let's move on. thus my right honourable friend _ bother. let's move on. thus my right honourable friend recall— bother. let's move on. thus my right honourable friend recall that - bother. let's move on. thus my right honourable friend recall that ever- honourable friend recall that ever since hejoined honourable friend recall that ever since he joined the honourable friend recall that ever since hejoined the party's candidates list, 30 years ago, until we got him into number ten, he has enjoyed my full throated support? but i am deeply concerned by these events and very concerned indeed by some of the things he has said from the dispatch box and has said to the british public now constituents stop when he kindly invited me to see him ten days ago, i told him i thought he should think very carefully about what was now in the best interests of our country and of the conservative party and i have to tell him he no longer enjoys my support. cheering. mr speaker, i must tell respectfully my right honourable friend, great though the aberration is that i have of him, i simply think that he is mistaken in his views and i urge him to reconsider upon full consideration of the inquiry. thank ou, mr consideration of the inquiry. thank you. mr speaker- _ consideration of the inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. the _ consideration of the inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. the prime i consideration of the inquiry. ’i�*ia�*ia. you, mr speaker. the prime minister told us, and i am quoting him, i have repeatedly been assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covid rules were broken. we now know that 12 of the 16 parties are subject to a police investigation and that, of the remaining four, the sue gray report says that she has seen a serious failure to observe the high standards at number ten, she has seen failures of leadership, failures ofjudgment and the prime minister is this is fine. so just how bad do things have to be before he takes personal responsibility, does what everybody in this country wants him to do and resign? cheering . mr speaker, what we are doing is taking the action that i have described to set up a prime minister's department to improve the operation at number ten and we will be taking further steps, mr speaker, in the days ahead. mr be taking further steps, mr speaker, in the days ahead.— in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inui in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inquiry has — in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inquiry has found _ in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inquiry has found there _ in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inquiry has found there have - in the days ahead. mr speaker, the inquiry has found there have been i inquiry has found there have been serious failings and has suggested there'd be changes in the way that number ten is run and there is a real opportunity now to take forward this new office of the prime minister and ensure further improvements are made, so that we can carry on delivering because what the parties opposite h is the fact that this government will carry on delivering on the things that mattered most to people, while also making sure that the governance within number ten is improved. i thank my honourable friend very, very much and i think he is completely right. i do think that the opposition of course want to keep their focus trained on this. that is their decision. i think, mr speaker, what the people of this country want us to do is to get on with thejob country want us to do is to get on with the job they want us to do and thatis with the job they want us to do and that is to serve them, mr speaker, and to stop talking, frankly, about ourselves! mr and to stop talking, frankly, about ourselves! i ,,, ., «i , and to stop talking, frankly, about ourselves! i ., «i , ., ourselves! mr speaker, there is no word in the — ourselves! mr speaker, there is no word in the english _ ourselves! mr speaker, there is no word in the english language i ourselves! mr speaker, there is no word in the english language for i ourselves! mr speaker, there is no word in the english language for a | word in the english language for a parent who has lost a child. no equivalent of widow orphan for that particular horror. it is a loss that is literally beyond words, a loss that hundreds of thousands of parents have tragically experienced during this pandemic. many had to bury their children alone. many could not be there with them at the end. meanwhile, numberten partied. does the prime minister understand... does he care about the enormous hurt his actions have caused to bereaved families across our country? will he finally accepts that the only decent thing he can do now is to resign? mr that the only decent thing he can do now is to resign?— now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply _ now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply about _ now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply about the _ now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply about the hurt - now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply about the hurt that i now is to resign? mr speaker, i do care deeply about the hurt that is l care deeply about the hurt that is felt across the country about the suggestion that things were going on in number ten that were in contravention of the covid rules and i understand how deeply people feel about this and how angry they are. and i have apologised several times, mr speaker, but i must say that i think we should wait for the outcome of the inquiry beforejumping to think we should wait for the outcome of the inquiry before jumping to the conclusion is that he has and in the meantime we should focus on the issues that matter to the british people. the public and this house have been frustrated for having to wait for sue gray, wait for the metropolitan police and today the prime minister has announced his new office at number ten. has announced his new office at numberten. please has announced his new office at number ten. please can you let this house know what specific structures are going to be put in place so this house can hold it accountable? indie house can hold it accountable? we will make sure there is a new permanent secretary who will be accountable to me, and we will make sure the codes of conduct that are applied to civil servants are properly enforced in all of that will be properly communicated to the house, and what i want to see is much better communication and links between number ten and the entirety of the house of commons, and we will do that. ., .. of the house of commons, and we will do that. ., «i , ., of the house of commons, and we will do that. ., «i ,, i of the house of commons, and we will do that. ., «i i. i ,,, ., «i do that. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday _ do that. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday at _ do that. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday at the _ do that. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday at the local _ do that. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday at the local tesco i do that. thank you, mr speaker. | yesterday at the local tesco store in my constituency, a constituent asked me, and it was in a tone more in sorrow than anger, why doesn't the prime minister realise that as every day goes by he damages the reputation of our country abroad and around the world? why doesn't the prime minister realise that, how will he respond to that? i prime minister realise that, how will he respond to that?- prime minister realise that, how will he respond to that? i think the re - utation will he respond to that? i think the reputation of _ will he respond to that? i think the reputation of our _ will he respond to that? i think the reputation of our country _ will he respond to that? i think the reputation of our country around i will he respond to that? i think the l reputation of our country around the world is built on the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, it is built on having the fastest growth in the g7 and it is built on our ability to bring our allies together to stand up against vladimir putin. that is what the world is focused on, that is what i am focused on and thatis on, that is what i am focused on and that is what he should be focused on. ., , ., ., .,, on. can my right honourable friend, first of all. — on. can my right honourable friend, first of all, remind _ on. can my right honourable friend, first of all, remind the _ on. can my right honourable friend, first of all, remind the leader- on. can my right honourable friend, first of all, remind the leader of. first of all, remind the leader of the opposition and the labour party that the backbenchers of the conservative party need no reminder about how to dispose of a failing reader? —— leader. can he also, when he is restructuring number ten, concentrate on the fact that the country wants results? we cannot see the point of such a large number ten superstructure. it needs to be slimmed down and streamlined, and can i commend his determination to restore cabinet government and it is on results over the next few months, which he will be judged? on results over the next few months, which he will bejudged? i on results over the next few months, which he will be judged?— which he will be 'udged? i think my riht which he will be judged? i think my right honourable _ which he will be judged? i think my right honourable friend _ which he will be judged? i think my right honourable friend for- which he will be judged? i think my right honourable friend for that i which he will be judged? i think my| right honourable friend for that and i think it is entirely right. i am more than content to be judged on the results that we have already delivered any results we will deliver. i am sure we will be greatly assisted by the reforms of number ten that i have outlined. anybody who has actually read the sue gray report can only wonder what she was made to leave out. we'll be prime minister give the house an undertaking that as soon as he is able, he will release the full unredacted to report to this house? sue gray has published everything that she can and i propose that we wait until the conclusion of the inquiry, but in the meantime, i think it is the killer that the report is being simultaneously hailed as utterly damning but also condemned for not having enough in it. it cannot be both.— it. it cannot be both. president truman had — it. it cannot be both. president truman had han _ it. it cannot be both. president truman had han his _ it. it cannot be both. president truman had han his desk- it. it cannot be both. president truman had han his desk the l it. it cannot be both. president i truman had han his desk the buck stops here. so the prime minister was right to apologise for the events that happened in number ten downing street. two weeks ago i reminded tom harwood that tony blair suggested there should be an office of prime minister so it could be governed, not from whitehall but from the building itself. could the prime minister tell me how he envisions the office will work? will be permanent secretary be based in number ten, be permanent secretary be based in numberten, controlling be permanent secretary be based in number ten, controlling what civil servants do in number ten? i am rateful servants do in number ten? i am grateful to _ servants do in number ten? i am grateful to my — servants do in number ten? i am grateful to my honourable friend. i think the house does understand, evenif think the house does understand, even if many people outside do not, that number ten actually hosts more than 400 officials on a busy day and they have a huge amount to do. we need to make sure... know, they are working very hard. that is what they are doing. we need to make sure there are proper lines of authority and we sort out the command structures. that is what we are doing. structures. that is what we are doin. ., .. structures. that is what we are doinu. . «i ,, structures. that is what we are doinu. . «i i structures. that is what we are doin. ., i doing. thank you, mr speaker. whatever the _ doing. thank you, mr speaker. whatever the police _ doing. thank you, mr speaker. whatever the police decide, i doing. thank you, mr speaker. | whatever the police decide, this update, severely limited as it is, would be enough to persuade any other prime minister to resign. this prime minister could resign and salvage a crumb or two of honour, or he may try to delay intake is party down with him. it not clear that with notable exceptions, his backbenchers should discover their backbones and sack him? i backbenchers should discover their backbones and sack him?— backbones and sack him? i have answered several _ backbones and sack him? i have answered several questions i backbones and sack him? i have answered several questions like | backbones and sack him? i have i answered several questions like that and i must really ask him to look at the report properly and to wait for the report properly and to wait for the inquiry when it comes. indie the report properly and to wait for the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked — the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked to _ the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked to keep _ the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked to keep some _ the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked to keep some sense i the inquiry when it comes. we have been asked to keep some sense of| been asked to keep some sense of perspective and i think that is right. the question here is whether those who make the law obeyed the law. that is pretty fundamental. many have questioned, including some of my constituents, the prime minister's honesty and integrity and fitness to hold office, and judging him, he rightly asked us to wait for all the facts. sue gray has made it clear in her update today that she could not produce a meaningful report with the facts, so can i ask the prime minister the question that the prime minister the question that the honourable lady, the memberfor hackney north and stoke newington asked him, and to which he didn't give an answer. when sue gray produces all of the facts in her full report, after the police investigation, will he commit to publish it immediately and in full? what we have got to do... is wait for the... what we have got to do... is wait forthe... shouting. wait forthe for the... shouting. wait for the police forthe... shouting. wait forthe police to conclude their inquiries, thatis police to conclude their inquiries, that is the proper thing to do. people have given all sorts of evidence in the expectation that it would not necessarily be published. at that stage, i will take a decision. at that stage, i will take a decision-— at that stage, i will take a decision. ., «i i ., «i decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imained decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that _ decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that i _ decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that i am _ decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that i am going - decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that i am going to - decision. thank you, mr speaker. i imagined that i am going to be i decision. thank you, mr speaker. i i imagined that i am going to be asked to wait for something else, but can ijust simply asked to wait for something else, but can i just simply asked the prime minister, was the prime minister present at the event in his flat on the 13th of november? i assume he doesn't need other people to tell him whether he was there or not. was he at the flat event listed in the report on the 13th of november? i am very grateful — report on the 13th of november? i am very grateful to _ report on the 13th of november? i am very grateful to the _ report on the 13th of november? i am very grateful to the honourable lady for inviting me to a comment on something that is being investigated but with great respect to her, i am simply not going to indulge. she will have to wait. mr simply not going to indulge. she will have to wait.— will have to wait. mr speaker, sa in will have to wait. mr speaker, saying sorry — will have to wait. mr speaker, saying sorry is _ will have to wait. mr speaker, saying sorry is very _ will have to wait. mr speaker, saying sorry is very important| will have to wait. mr speaker, i saying sorry is very important but my right honourable friends will be judged by the deeds he undertakes as a result. i heard today a proper acknowledgement that he needs to look in the mirror and i am glad to hear about reforms to the centre of government that i think are timely. in fact, they are overdue, as he knows from previous conversations i have had with him. when he gave me and how is this undertaking today, that incorporating the metropolitan police inquiry, he will show the appropriate tone and approach that i think the british public demand of him, as a person of serious purpose who is up to the level of events? that is what we expect him now and thatis that is what we expect him now and that is what i will be expecting him to do. i that is what i will be expecting him to do. ., «i , ., ., to do. i thank my right honourable friend very much. _ to do. i thank my right honourable friend very much. i _ to do. i thank my right honourable friend very much. i want _ to do. i thank my right honourable friend very much. i want to - to do. i thank my right honourable friend very much. i want to stress i friend very much. i want to stress that i had great admiration for the metropolitan police in full confidence in the police. ijust suggest that they be allowed now to get on with theirjob.— get on with their 'ob. thank you, mr seaker. get on with their 'ob. thank you, mr speaker. we — get on with theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. we now _ get on with theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. we now know— get on with theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. we now know that - get on with theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. we now know that there i get on with theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. we now know that there isi get on with theirjob. thank you, mr i speaker. we now know that there is a criminal investigation into the party that took place on the 13th of november, 2020, in his flat to celebrate the exit of mr cummings. on the 8th of december last year, he came to the dispatch box and flatly denied the very idea that any such party had taken place. he has shaking his head. in answer to my honourable friend he said it had not happened. he has inadvertently misled the house. the very least he should do is get to that dispatch box and correct the record. ila. should do is get to that dispatch box and correct the record. no, mr seaker, box and correct the record. no, mr speaker. i— box and correct the record. no, mr speaker, i stand _ box and correct the record. no, mr speaker, i stand by— box and correct the record. no, mr speaker, i stand by what _ box and correct the record. no, mr speaker, i stand by what i - box and correct the record. no, mr speaker, i stand by what i said - box and correct the record. no, mri speaker, i stand by what i said and i will simply urge him to wait for the outcome of the inquiry, that is what he needs to do.— the outcome of the inquiry, that is what he needs to do. thank you, mr seaker. what he needs to do. thank you, mr speaker- may _ what he needs to do. thank you, mr speaker- may i _ what he needs to do. thank you, mr speaker. may i advise _ what he needs to do. thank you, mr speaker. may i advise my— what he needs to do. thank you, mr speaker. may i advise my right - speaker. may i advise my right honourable friend publicly what i have said two emissaries from his campaign team privately. that it is truly in his interest, in the government's interest and in the national interest, that he should insist on receiving the full unredacted report immediately, as i believe he can, and that he should then publish the uncensored version without any further delay. i am then publish the uncensored version without any further delay.— without any further delay. i am very crateful to without any further delay. i am very grateful to my _ without any further delay. i am very grateful to my right _ without any further delay. i am very grateful to my right honourable - grateful to my right honourable friend but i think expensive legal advice has been taken on this point and sue gray has published everything she thinks she can mess consistent with that advice —— extensive. iii consistent with that advice -- extensive-— extensive. if the police investigation _ extensive. if the police investigation were - extensive. if the police investigation were to l extensive. if the police - investigation were to result in serious criminal charges, necessitating a criminal trial such as misconduct in public office or a conspiracy to promote the course of justice, how would the prime minister feel about having to give evidence on oath? i minister feel about having to give evidence on oath?— minister feel about having to give evidence on oath? i am not going to seculate evidence on oath? i am not going to speculate about _ evidence on oath? i am not going to speculate about hypothetical- speculate about hypothetical questions, which frankly i reject. you will know it is a very rare event for any prime minister to come in this house and apologise, a difficult thing for any prime minister to do. but on the issue of the police investigation, does my right honourable friend agree with me that there should be due process, that there should be free and unfettered access to all at number ten, the most evolved, they should be no prejudging or undermining of the police inquiry before it is concluded? —— but most of all. i agree and i am shocked by some of the commentary i've heard on the benches opposite about that matter today. benches opposite about that matter toda . . ~ benches opposite about that matter toda . ., ~ i. , benches opposite about that matter toda. ., , , today. thank you, the thing is this is who the prime _ today. thank you, the thing is this is who the prime minister- today. thank you, the thing is this is who the prime minister is, - today. thank you, the thing is this is who the prime minister is, a - is who the prime minister is, a serious failure to observe high standards, failures of leadership and judgment, standards, failures of leadership andjudgment, excessive standards, failures of leadership and judgment, excessive consumption of alcohol in a professional workplace, gatherings that should not have been able to take place, staff too frightened to raise concerns, parties in his own private flat. a leopard does not change its spots. does it? every single one who defends this will face this again and again and again. because he still will not even admit to the house that when he came to us on the 13th of november and said the guidance and the rules were followed at all times, and on the 1st of december that all the guidelines were observed, that those things simply were not true. if you will not correct the record today, there is nothing accidental about this, is there? it is deliberate. i do is nothing accidental about this, is there? it is deliberate.— there? it is deliberate. i do not know what _ there? it is deliberate. i do not know what he _ there? it is deliberate. i do not know what he is _ there? it is deliberate. i do not know what he is trying - there? it is deliberate. i do not know what he is trying to - there? it is deliberate. i do not know what he is trying to say. i j know what he is trying to say. i would direct him again to the point made by sue gray that no conclusion should be drawn or inferences made from this other than it is now time for the police to consider the relevant material. that is what the hell should allow them to do. —— house. hell should allow them to do. -- house. , ., house. over the past few weeks, our constituents — house. over the past few weeks, our constituents across _ house. over the past few weeks, our constituents across the _ house. over the past few weeks, our constituents across the house - house. over the past few weeks, our constituents across the house have l constituents across the house have been writing to us on this hugely important issue and i do not in any way wish to minimise its importance, but in my constituency i have military bases and i am receiving e—mails from families who are concerned about their loved ones and the potential role they may end up playing, given the conflict on the russian ukrainian border. members opposite may treat slightly, but for the families who have those serving the families who have those serving the military, they do not treat it lightly. would my right honourable friend gave me an assurance that notwithstanding the importance of theissue notwithstanding the importance of the issue we are discussing at present, his government will start addressing other important matters that concern might constituents and the constituents of the people across the south?— the constituents of the people across the south? thank you very much indeed _ across the south? thank you very much indeed and _ across the south? thank you very much indeed and he _ across the south? thank you very much indeed and he is _ across the south? thank you very| much indeed and he is completely right. of course these matters are important, in the meantime the uk has got to play the leading role that we are in bringing the west together, to make a united front against vladimir putin, especially with the economic sanctions that we need. that is the priority of the government right now.- need. that is the priority of the government right now. while the prime minister _ government right now. while the prime minister was _ government right now. while the prime minister was eating - government right now. while the | prime minister was eating birthday cake with his pals, people were standing outside nursing home windows, looking in at their loved ones dying. contrary to what the prime minister has said from that dispatch box multiple times, any objective reading of the update makes it absolutely clear that the rules were broken multiple times in downing street. well be prime minister continue the habit of a lifetime and keep blaming everybody else of that he finally stand up, take responsibility and just go? mr speaker, he has really got to read the report. and he has got to wait because everything he has said is not substantiated by the report. you should look and wait for the police inquiry. you should look and wait for the police inquiry-— you should look and wait for the police inquiry. millions of people, millions of people _ police inquiry. millions of people, millions of people took _ police inquiry. millions of people, millions of people took seriouslyl police inquiry. millions of people, | millions of people took seriously a communications campaign apparently designed by behavioural psychologists to bully, to shame and to terrify them into compliance with minute restrictions on their freedom. what is my right honourable friend's central message to those people who meticulously complied with all of the rules and suffered terribly for it, including, i might say, those people whose mental health will have suffered appallingly as a result of the messages his government was sending out? mr messages his government was sending out? ~ ,,, ., ~' messages his government was sending out? ~ ,,, ., ~ ., messages his government was sending out? ~ .,~ ., ., messages his government was sending out? ~ .,~' ., ., ., ~' messages his government was sending out? ~ ., ., ., ~'., out? mr speaker, i want to thank all those people — out? mr speaker, i want to thank all those people for— out? mr speaker, i want to thank all those people for everything - out? mr speaker, i want to thank all those people for everything that - those people for everything that they did because together they have helped us to control coronavirus and i think thanks to their amazing actions in coming forward to get vaccinated, we are now in a far better position than many other countries around the world, so i have a massive debt of gratitude to all the people he describes. further to the question asked by my honourable friend, the memberfor birmingham yardley, i am not asking for a running commentary, but i would like to know whether the prime minister was present in his flat at the event on the 13th of november 2020? i the event on the 13th of november 2020? ., ., , ., ., 2020? i am really gratefulto her, mr speaker. _ 2020? i am really gratefulto her, mr speaker, and _ 2020? i am really gratefulto her, mr speaker, and i _ 2020? i am really gratefulto her, mr speaker, and i understand - 2020? i am really gratefulto her, j mr speaker, and i understand why people want me to elaborate on all sorts of points, but i am not going to make a running commentary on a matter that is now being considered by the authorities. i have got to wait for them to conclude. mr speaker. _ wait for them to conclude. ii speaker, the update we have today from sue gray is, as she says herself, extremely limited and that it is not possible at present to provide a meaningful report, so will my right honourable friend confirm that at the earliest opportunity he will have the report published in full? mr will have the report published in full? ~ .,~ ., ., will have the report published in full? ~ ., ., , full? mr speaker, what we will do is wait until the _ full? mr speaker, what we will do is wait until the police _ full? mr speaker, what we will do is wait until the police have _ full? mr speaker, what we will do is wait until the police have concluded | wait until the police have concluded their inquiries and then see what more we can publish. that is what we are going to do. more we can publish. that is what we are going to do— are going to do. thank you, mr speaker- _ are going to do. thank you, mr speaker- as — are going to do. thank you, mr speaker. as the _ are going to do. thank you, mr speaker. as the prime - are going to do. thank you, mrj speaker. as the prime minister are going to do. thank you, mr - speaker. as the prime minister will recall, on the 8th of december in prime minister's questions, i asked him, was there a party in downing street on the 13th of november? and now the report says in the bullet point on the first page, but there was a gathering in the number 10 downing street flat, a gathering in the number 10 downing street on the departure of a special adviser. did he inadvertently mislead this house? put us all out of their agony and stop dragging democracy through the mud! cheering. mr speaker, i stick by what i have said to her and she should wait... if she cares about democracy and due process, she should wait until the inquiry has been concluded. thank ou, mr inquiry has been concluded. thank you. mr speaker- _ inquiry has been concluded. thank you, mr speaker. as _ inquiry has been concluded. thank you, mr speaker. as a _ inquiry has been concluded. ’i�*isg�*iaz you, mr speaker. as a nondrinkerwho you, mr speaker. as a nondrinker who long ago realised that sobriety delivers everything that alcohol promised, i notice with interest that a drinking culture exists in downing street and in that predates my right honourable friend's tenure by some decades. does he, like me, welcome sue gray's report? and will he commit to fixing that culture? yes, mr speaker, ithank he commit to fixing that culture? yes, mr speaker, i thank him very much and we are certainly, mr speaker, going to take up the relevant parts of her recommendations and see that they are properly enforced within the civil service.— civil service. thank you, mr speaker- — civil service. thank you, mr speaker. the _ civil service. thank you, mr speaker. the shocking - civil service. thank you, mr - speaker. the shocking incompetence of the met police has meant we have a report that has been gutted, the route frankly we did not need sue gray to tell us about the level of dishonour and deception that has affected not only downing street, but so many in the party opposite. it has been excruciating to watch so many tory mps and ministers willing to defend the indefensible, calculating what is in their own party political interests, rather than what is right for our country. complicit in the same decaying system, where the pursuit of power trumps integrity. the prime minister is certainly a bad apple, but the whole tree is rotten and the whole country wants reform. couldn't we make a start with a major overhaul of the ministerial code, given that its founding assumption, that it could be policed by a prime minister of the day because they would be a person of honesty and integrity, that founding assumption has been so widely and comprehensively and utterly discredited! jeers. mr speaker, of all the things, we are in the ministerial code, but of all the things that i disagree with her about what she has just said, i disagree with the most passionately about what she has just said about the police. i think they do an outstanding job, the police. i think they do an outstandingjob, i the police. i think they do an outstanding job, i think we should allow them to get on with thatjob and await their conclusions. allow them to get on with that 'ob and await their conclusions. thank ou, mr and await their conclusions. thank you. mr speaker- _ and await their conclusions. thank you, mr speaker. if _ and await their conclusions. thank you, mr speaker. if i _ and await their conclusions. thank you, mr speaker. if i just - and await their conclusions. thank you, mr speaker. if i just draw- you, mr speaker. if ijust draw attention to finding number seven in this report, which documents that actually number 10 downing street has more from a small team who supports the power minister to a self—indulgent bureaucracy all of its own. i personally am tired of reading sunday newspapers which read of officials briefing prime ministers, delays about things being stuck in number ten as i speak to ministers getting frustrated, so can i ask my right honourable friend the se institutes this review, call me old—fashioned, but ministers are accountable for decisions taken in their name, not flunkies in number ten and will he ensure that reform properly restore ministerial accountability? i properly restore ministerial accountability?— properly restore ministerial accountabili ? . ~ , accountability? i thank her very much and _ accountability? i thank her very much and i _ accountability? i thank her very much and i very _ accountability? i thank her very much and i very much - accountability? i thank her very much and i very much enjoyed l accountability? i thank her very i much and i very much enjoyed our joint trip to tilbury this morning and i can tell her that yes, i do think it is vital, as sue gray says, that we learn from this and that we strengthen the cabinet government and the principle of ministerial responsibility.— responsibility. thank you, mr seaker. responsibility. thank you, mr speaker- i— responsibility. thank you, mr speaker. i have _ responsibility. thank you, mr speaker. i have spoken - responsibility. thank you, mr| speaker. i have spoken about responsibility. thank you, mr - speaker. i have spoken about my own experience of loss during the pandemic many times. i do not claim that my experiences special. indeed, they are all too common. but as a member of parliament, i have a responsibility to provide a voice for the bereaved families. make no mistake, this report is utterly damning and suggests that the prime minister's and the government's actions were a risk to public health. how on earth can the prime minister stand there and justify this? does he now accept that his actions were a complete and absolute failure of leadership and judgment? ! cheering. mr speaker, i thank him very much and i repeat what i have said, that i am deeply sorry for the suffering there has been throughout this pandemic, where his constituents or anyone in the country. as to his points about what is in the report, i don't think his views are substantiated by what the report says, but i think he should wait to see where the inquiry goes and that is what i propose to do.— is what i propose to do. thank you, mr speaker- _ is what i propose to do. thank you, mr speaker. does _ is what i propose to do. thank you, mr speaker. does my _ is what i propose to do. thank you, mr speaker. does my right - is what i propose to do. thank you, i mr speaker. does my right honourable friend agree with me that those opposite have used up far too much time, far too much parliamentary time, far too much parliamentary time debating this? jeers. and i can assure my right honourable friends that the residents of stourbridge want the prime minister to focus on the matter is they really care about. just to focus on the matter is they really care about.— to focus on the matter is they really care about. to focus on the matter is they reall care about. , , ., ., really care about. just a moment. in fairness, really care about. just a moment. in fairness. the — really care about. just a moment. in fairness, the prime _ really care about. just a moment. in fairness, the prime minister - really care about. just a moment. in fairness, the prime minister has - really care about. just a moment. in fairness, the prime minister has to i fairness, the prime minister has to come _ fairness, the prime minister has to come and — fairness, the prime minister has to come and make the statement. now, i am not _ come and make the statement. now, i am not going _ come and make the statement. now, i am not going to attack the power minister— am not going to attack the power minister for making the statement. prime _ minister for making the statement. prime minister. laughter. thank you, mr speaker. i want to say how strongly i agreed nonetheless with my honourable friend because yes, of course it is vital that we make this statement, yes, of course it is vital that we learn from sue gray's report and vital that we take action, mr speaker, which is what the government is doing, but it is also vital, frankly, that we get on with the people's priorities and thatis with the people's priorities and that is also what this government is doing. that is also what this government is doinu. . ~' ,, ~ that is also what this government is doinu. ., ,, ~ that is also what this government is doinu. . ~ doing. thank you, mr speaker. so 'ust to doing. thank you, mr speaker. so just to summarise, _ doing. thank you, mr speaker. so just to summarise, i _ doing. thank you, mr speaker. so just to summarise, i didn't - doing. thank you, mr speaker. so just to summarise, i didn't know. just to summarise, i didn't know there was a pate, we have had, there was a party, but it is work meeting and there was a party, but i was not there. why is it the payments are mentioned international negotiations and why should anybody, any country or government with whom we enter negotiations take any kind of word from a government that clearly axed with mendacity of forethought from start to beginning? cheering. mr speaker, this is the government that took this country out of the eu, did what was necessary and this is the government that is bringing the west together to stand up against vladimir putin. those are the important considerations. as for the important considerations. as for the rest of what he has said, mr speaker, it is nonsense, but he should wait for the police inquiry. mr speaker, my constituents in scunthorpe are very keen to see the industrial energy prices fixed. it will be prime minister reassure me he will not be distracted by any of this and he will get on with the job and come forward with a solution to that issue? , ~ , that issue? yes, i think my honourable _ that issue? yes, i think my honourable friend - that issue? yes, i think my honourable friend is - that issue? yes, i think my - honourable friend is completely right. we not only need to address consumer energy costs, we need to address business and industrial energy costs as well. i know that my right honourable friend the chancellor will be bringing forward a package of measures as soon as he can. . ~' a package of measures as soon as he can. . «i y ., ~ a package of measures as soon as he can. ., ~ ~ a package of measures as soon as he can. thank you, mr speaker. during his statement, _ can. thank you, mr speaker. during his statement, the _ can. thank you, mr speaker. during his statement, the prime _ can. thank you, mr speaker. during his statement, the prime minister. his statement, the prime minister kept referring to wie when he talked about the sorry saga that sue gray has reported. but, mr speaker, it is his rules, his rule breaking, his inability to tell the truth about it thatis inability to tell the truth about it that is the issue. he is the prime minister. does he not take any personal responsibility at all for this disgraceful fiasco? personal responsibility at all for this disgracefulfiasco? mr personal responsibility at all for this disgraceful fiasco? mr speaker, i have this disgraceful fiasco? mr speaker, i have taken — this disgraceful fiasco? mr speaker, i have taken full— this disgraceful fiasco? mr speaker, i have taken full response _ this disgraceful fiasco? mr speaker, i have taken full response ability - i have taken full response ability throughout the pandemic. mr speaker, as with the report _ throughout the pandemic. mr speaker, as with the report on _ throughout the pandemic. mr speaker, as with the report on owen _ as with the report on owen pattinson, i thought it was important to support the process and read the report and that is because i think it is important to separate fact from allegation and to know what the report actually says, rather than what i would wish it to say. two lessons that the leader of the opposition needs to learn. i promised my constituents that i would ask the prime minister to say that he would support the recommendations of the report. there are four. that every department of and has a clear and robust policy in place regarding the consumption of alcohol in the workplace, their access to the gardens should be by invitation only and in a controlled environment, that there should be easier ways. to risk such concerns, basically whistle—blowing, and that too much responsibility and expectation is placed on the senior officials whose principal function is the direct support of the power minister. those are the facts and findings of the report. will be prime minister respect them in full? yes, i do act, and i respect the findings of the report in full, the generalfindings and we findings of the report in full, the general findings and we are immediately taking steps to implement the changes. new prime minister has just said he accepts the findings of the report. one of them says that there are failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number ten and the cabinet office at different times. he provides the political leadership and the political judgment at number ten. does he accept his own personal wrongdoing and failings in this regard? cheering. mr speaker, not only have i accepted full responsibility throughout, but i have apologised repeatedly to the house for any misjudgments i may have made myself. but again, i must urge her to wait for the conclusion of the inquiry. it urge her to wait for the conclusion of the inquiry-— of the inquiry. it seems a lot of --eole of the inquiry. it seems a lot of people attended _ of the inquiry. it seems a lot of people attended events - of the inquiry. it seems a lot of people attended events in - of the inquiry. it seems a lot of i people attended events in 2020. of the inquiry. it seems a lot of - people attended events in 2020. the one i recall attending was my grandmother's funeral. she was a wonderful woman, she served her community as a counsellor loyally for many years. i drove from three hours from staffordshire to kent. there were only ten people at the funeral. many people who love to had to watch online. i did not hug my siblings or parents. i gave a eulogy and then afterwards i did not even go to her house for a cup of tea. i drove back three hours from kent to staffordshire. does the prime minister think i am a full? ila. staffordshire. does the prime minister think i am a full? no, mr seaker, minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker. and _ minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker. and i — minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker, and i want _ minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker, and i want to _ minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker, and i want to thank- minister think i am a full? no, mr speaker, and i want to thank my i speaker, and i want to thank my honourable friend and i want to say how deeply i sympathise with him and his family for their loss. all i can say is, again, that i am very, very sorry for misjudgments that may have been made by me or anybody else in number ten and the cabinet office and i can only ask him respectfully, mr speaker, to look at what sue gray has said, but also to wait for the conclusion of the inquiry. it is important this has contrasted ministers tell us when that dispatch box and on the 8th of december, regarding events at number 10 downing street, the prime minister said i had been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged there was no party and that no covid rules were broken. that is what i have been repeatedly assured. the people who gave them those insurances led to him inadvertently misleading house —— assurances. at this people face any disciplinary proceedings? iie this people face any disciplinary proceedings?— this people face any disciplinary proceedings? this people face any disciplinary ”roceedins? , ., ., ., proceedings? he needs to await the conclusions — proceedings? he needs to await the conclusions of _ proceedings? he needs to await the conclusions of the _ proceedings? he needs to await the conclusions of the police _ proceedings? he needs to await the conclusions of the police inquiry - conclusions of the police inquiry because i am afraid the premise of his question may or may not be substantiated, but what can i can tell the house is there certainly will be changes in the way we do things and changes at number ten. iii; things and changes at number ten. ii constituency had things and changes at number ten. ii1: constituency had consistently things and changes at number ten. ii1 constituency had consistently some of the lowest levels of infection in the country. we followed the rules. so many of my constituents have been upset, the damage sustained the government is enormous. it is about integrity and trust. can i ask again, because people want to know. how can the prime minister now satisfy my constituents and assure me that full accountability and transparency on the findings of the final report will swiftly follow? i will do whatever i can to ensure this house has as much clarity as possible. there are legal issues that we face about some of the testimony that has been given, but in the meantime, what i think sue gray wants us to do is wait for the conclusion of the investigation, the inquiry, and see where that goes, and to support the police in their work. , ~ , work. does the prime minister need somebody else _ work. does the prime minister need somebody else to _ work. does the prime minister need somebody else to tell _ work. does the prime minister need somebody else to tell him - work. does the prime minister need somebody else to tell him whetherl work. does the prime minister need l somebody else to tell him whether he was there or he is there? i somebody else to tell him whether he was there or he is there?— was there or he is there? i refer the honourable _ was there or he is there? i refer the honourable lady _ was there or he is there? i refer the honourable lady to - was there or he is there? i refer the honourable lady to the - was there or he is there? i refer i the honourable lady to the answer was there or he is there? i refer - the honourable lady to the answer i have already given. taste the honourable lady to the answer i have already given.— the honourable lady to the answer i have already given. we all recognise that number— have already given. we all recognise that number 10 _ have already given. we all recognise that number 10 downing _ have already given. we all recognise that number 10 downing street - have already given. we all recognise that number 10 downing street is i have already given. we all recognise that number 10 downing street is anj that number 10 downing street is an unusual amalgam of workplace, office space in private home. what steps will be prime minister take to ensure that the lines between each of them are made clearer in the future? iie of them are made clearer in the future? , , future? he will see there is reference _ future? he will see there is reference to _ future? he will see there is reference to that _ future? he will see there is reference to that very i future? he will see there is i reference to that very problem in the report and we are going to take steps to clarify things and make sure there is greater transparency in the lines of command. does the prime minister _ in the lines of command. does the prime minister recognise - in the lines of command. does the prime minister recognise that i prime minister recognise that repeatedly making statements, including from that dispatch box, which turn out subsequently to be untrue is a serious problem or does he not recognise that? i untrue is a serious problem or does he not recognise that?— he not recognise that? i really think he is _ he not recognise that? i really think he is prejudging - he not recognise that? i really think he is prejudging things l he not recognise that? i really i think he is prejudging things and he should wait for the conclusion of the inquiry. i should wait for the conclusion of the inquiry-— should wait for the conclusion of the inui . ., the inquiry. i welcome the fact that m riht the inquiry. i welcome the fact that my right honourable _ the inquiry. i welcome the fact that my right honourable friend - the inquiry. i welcome the fact that my right honourable friend has i the inquiry. i welcome the fact that i my right honourable friend has come to this house as a first step in responding to this report. he has also rightly outlined the relationship between number ten and this house needs to improve, so when he reassured me he will continue to come to this house to update us on the implementation of the recommendations in the report, how that will happen? i am recommendations in the report, how that will happen?— that will happen? i am on the too ha - to that will happen? i am on the too happy to assure _ that will happen? i am on the too happy to assure the _ that will happen? i am on the too happy to assure the house - that will happen? i am on the too happy to assure the house that l that will happen? i am on the tool happy to assure the house that we intend to make changes starting from now and i will keep the house updated. now and i will keep the house u dated. ~ , now and i will keep the house udated. ~ , ., ., ., updated. when there is a failure of leadership and _ updated. when there is a failure of leadership and an _ updated. when there is a failure of leadership and an inappropriate i leadership and an inappropriate culture in an organisation, the person at the top should go. this outrageous tobacco hasn't happened in spite of the prime minister. this has happened because of the prime minister —— debacle. will be prime minister —— debacle. will be prime minister now did the right thing and resign? the minister now did the right thing and resin? . , minister now did the right thing and resin? ., , , .,, , resign? the answer is no because i will wait for— resign? the answer is no because i will wait for the _ resign? the answer is no because i will wait for the conclusions - resign? the answer is no because i will wait for the conclusions of i resign? the answer is no because i will wait for the conclusions of the | will wait for the conclusions of the inquiry before any of the assertions she has made can be established. i thank the prime minister for his statement, especially the acknowledgement of the enormous sacrifice that so many british people went through, and as somebody who was unable to say goodbye to my grandparents this time last year, can i welcome his sincere apology? as we wait for the metropolitan police findings, to my right honourable friend give me a categoric assurance that it will be full speed ahead on fixing the northern ireland protocol, standing up northern ireland protocol, standing up for our friends in northern ireland protocol, standing up for ourfriends in ukraine and fixing the cost of living crisis? yes, that is exactly what this government is going to do and we will not be distracted for one minute. iii will not be distracted for one minute. ., , ., minute. in the general findings to sue gra 's minute. in the general findings to sue gray's report, _ minute. in the general findings to sue gray's report, there - minute. in the general findings to sue gray's report, there is - minute. in the general findings to sue gray's report, there is a i sue gray's report, there is a reference to the failure of leadership and judgment by number ten. does the prime minister except that sue gray was largely referring to him? i that sue gray was largely referring to him? . , ~ that sue gray was largely referring to him? ., , ,, , ., to him? i really think he should recite the _ to him? i really think he should recite the whole _ to him? i really think he should recite the whole report, - to him? i really think he should recite the whole report, but i l to him? i really think he should i recite the whole report, but i have told him i accept the findings that sue gray has given in full and we are acting on them today. i welcome m riht are acting on them today. i welcome my right honourable _ are acting on them today. i welcome my right honourable friend's - my right honourable friend's apology, he has taken responsibility and apologised, and it is right he should do so. can he confirm that tackling the crisis will remain top of the new office of the two because thatis of the new office of the two because that is what the country wants to see? they want to see this prime minister getting on with the job. yes, that is right and that is why we brought forward the nationalities and borders built, which this government is going through, which that party voted against. the fli an that party voted against. the flippancy of _ that party voted against. the flippancy of some _ that party voted against. iia: flippancy of some of the that party voted against. i“ie: flippancy of some of the answers today and the non—answers to other questions do not suggest the prime minister is that sorry. does he recognise the long—term damage he risks during two historic norms of democracy? is it right they are sacrificed for the interests of one man who refuses to do what the country knows he needs to do. can you point once and the example he personally has improved standards in public life? —— can he point to one single example. public life? -- can he point to one single example-— public life? -- can he point to one single example. deciding to honour the wishes of _ single example. deciding to honour the wishes of the _ single example. deciding to honour the wishes of the people _ single example. deciding to honour the wishes of the people and - single example. deciding to honour| the wishes of the people and deliver brexit in spite of their attempts to subvert democracy.— brexit in spite of their attempts to subvert democracy. delivery is key. the prime minister _ subvert democracy. delivery is key. the prime minister delivers, - subvert democracy. delivery is key. the prime minister delivers, he - the prime minister delivers, he delivered on brexit, he delivered with the furlough and the self employment scheme. that ensured businesses were able to survive. nicky shouted down because they don't like it, that is fine. he delivered with one of the best vaccination programmes in the world. he delivered a country that is coming out of a pandemic and an economy that is thriving with people who sadly lost theirjobs in the last two years having more vacancies than ever to choose from. but nobody talks about those things because of sight of those things... i talks about those things because of sight of those things. . ._ sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister _ sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister has _ sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister has got _ sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister has got a - sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister has got a grip - sight of those things. .. i think the prime minister has got a grip of. prime minister has got a grip of what _ prime minister has got a grip of what you — prime minister has got a grip of what you had to say. we prime minister has got a grip of what you had to say.— prime minister has got a grip of what you had to say. we are going to deliver on the — what you had to say. we are going to deliver on the people's _ what you had to say. we are going to deliver on the people's priorities - deliver on the people's priorities and keep delivering for wales. thank ou. one and keep delivering for wales. thank yon one of— and keep delivering for wales. thank yon one of the _ and keep delivering for wales. thank you. one of the hardest _ and keep delivering for wales. “iiaiaz you. one of the hardest things i had to do as an mp is speak to the family of ishmail mohammed. he was 13 years old when he died. on the 30th of march. he was one of the youngest people to lose his life to covid. when i spoke to his mother i broke down on that call. ishmail�*s family like so many other constituents up and down in vauxhall, followed the rule. many of them are scared to go out to many of them are scared to go out to many of them had to bury their loved ones about being there. many of them walked past the memorial board in my constituency. does the prime minister now understand it does not feel ashamed that his actions have brought disrepute to the office he holds? {lii brought disrepute to the office he holds? . ., , brought disrepute to the office he holds? _, , , . holds? of course i share the honourable _ holds? of course i share the honourable lady's _ holds? of course i share the honourable lady's grief- holds? of course i share the honourable lady's grief for i holds? of course i share the - honourable lady's grief for ishmail and i sympathise with his family. i understand the pain and loss that everybody is experiencing throughout this country. all i can say is i will continue to do my best to fight covid, as i have done throughout this pandemic, and to deliverfor the british people. i cannot say more than that.— more than that. thank you, mr speaker- _ more than that. thank you, mr speaker. running _ more than that. thank you, mr speaker. running an _ more than that. thank you, mr speaker. running an office - more than that. thank you, mri speaker. running an office and having the required management expertise of running literally dozens and dozens of officers with hundreds and hundreds of people within is one thing, running the country and getting the big decisions right are quite another. so can i welcome the prime minister's commitment to have a look at what is happening at number ten and those management structures, so we can deliver on the promises anti—brexit promises to give the people of this country? i anti-brexit promises to give the people of this country?- anti-brexit promises to give the people of this country? i thank you ve much people of this country? i thank you very much and _ people of this country? i thank you very much and that _ people of this country? i thank you very much and that is _ people of this country? i thank you very much and that is why - people of this country? i thank you very much and that is why we - people of this country? i thank you very much and that is why we are l very much and that is why we are taking up the findings of the report. —— and the brexit promises. we now need to deliver exclusively on the great priorities of the people. on the great priorities of the --eole. . , on the great priorities of the eo le. ., , , on the great priorities of the --eole. , ., people. last summer... through the window of her _ people. last summer... through the window of her hospice _ people. last summer... through the window of her hospice as _ people. last summer... through the window of her hospice as she - people. last summer... through the window of her hospice as she died i people. last summer... through the window of her hospice as she died to cancer. we didn't get to hug her and we will let millions of people across the uk. we followed the reels while he and his colleagues did not. it makes me sick to my stomach that we are not going to get the findings of this report because the police were still late to the party, the same met police who were happy to arrest women who were protesting the murder of sarah everard. it makes me sick to my stomach that he does not understand the anger and fury and upset of millions of people across the uk. because sometimes, mr speaker, an apology will not cut it. it is time for action, it is time for a clear out, it is time for him to resign. i for a clear out, it is time for him to resign-— for a clear out, it is time for him toresiun. , , , . to resign. i sympathise very much with the experience _ to resign. i sympathise very much with the experience of _ to resign. i sympathise very much with the experience of her - with the experience of her constituents and all the pain people have gone through throughout this pandemic. i must say to her she is prejudging the issue in question today. i do not think that is the right thing to do. i have a great deal of respect for the police and i think they should be allowed to get on with theirjob. i think they should be allowed to get on with theirjob.— on with their 'ob. i think we have not to on with theirjob. i think we have got to remember _ on with theirjob. i think we have got to remember we _ on with theirjob. i think we have got to remember we are - on with theirjob. i think we have got to remember we are all - on with theirjob. i think we have l got to remember we are all talking about the breaking of the rules and the rule clearly are under question as to what is happened. but the rules themselves that were put out by this government have got this country to where it is. we have got to remember those rules did the right thing. so yes there's got to be consequences in number ten for any rules that have been broken, but please member the right thing was done by the instigation of the rules in the first place. when i am talking to my constituents out there, they are saying yes we need to ask a question about what happened there, but can we stop keeping that is the only subject and can the opposition talk about something else? we need to move on and love this country. —— level up this country. he and love this country. -- level up this country-— and love this country. -- level up this country. he is right, the rules are important— this country. he is right, the rules are important and _ this country. he is right, the rules are important and it _ this country. he is right, the rules are important and it was - this country. he is right, the rules are important and it was amazing | this country. he is right, the rules . are important and it was amazing and remains amazing to see the way people pulled together throughout the pandemic. i think people very much, but what we need to do, if we possibly can, and if the opposition would agree, we now need to focus on theissues would agree, we now need to focus on the issues that matter above all to the issues that matter above all to the british people, fixing the cost of living, clearing the covid backlogs. that is what this government is doing. i have known the prime minister a long time and we have always got on quite well. he is not a wicked man, but he is a man that for years, in every job, has got by flying on the seat of his pants. he has a chaotic management style and that is a question of character. can i ask him, really, to look in the mirror, as he said this morning, and say ni the man at this challenging time for our country, abroad, at home, in any sense, has he the character to carry on and do thatjob properly? yes. sense, has he the character to carry on and do that job properly? on and do that 'ob properly? yes, mr seaker. on and do that job properly? yes, mr speaker- quite _ on and do that job properly? yes, mr speaker. quite frankly _ on and do that job properly? yes, mr speaker. quite frankly i _ on and do that job properly? yes, mr speaker. quite frankly i think- on and do that job properly? yes, mr speaker. quite frankly i think it - speaker. quite frankly i think it was indispensable that we had a strong number ten that was able to take us out of the eu despite all the efforts of the party opposite to block it, not only that, a booster and a vaccine campaign that were led by number ten that have made a dramatic difference, notjust to the help of this country but the economic fortunes of this country. whatever he says about me and my readership, that is what we have delivered in the last year alone. were knocking on doors in blackpool at the weekend i spoke tojulie who said this. this prime minister has had the most difficultjob in living history. he has been dealing with a pandemic in which he nearly died, he has been dealing with the media, who haven't forgiven him for delivering brexit, and yet... he has been dealing with the media who hasn't forgiven him yet for brexit and he hasn't had a chance to cut under —— crack on and deliver for british people on their priorities. the report today has come out, the prime minister has apologised, let's allow him to get on... i minister has apologised, let's allow him to get on...— him to get on... i want to see how passionately _ him to get on... i want to see how passionately and _ him to get on... i want to see how passionately and emphatically - him to get on... i want to see how passionately and emphatically i i passionately and emphatically i agree with the remarks, which i couldn't quite hear of my honourable friend. he is completely right. that is the priority of the british people and the priority of the government. mr speaker, as limited as the sue gray report was, we know that the findings are still incredibly damning. multiple issues around failures of leadership and judgment. now, given that the nolan principles and the standards of public life describe the centrality of integrity, honesty and readership, how can the prime minister continue? i really think that she needs to read the report carefully, mr speaker, and i am afraid the conclusion is that she is drawing are not ones that i support, but what we are doing, mr speaker, is following sue gray's advice and we are changing the way number ten runs and we are going to do things differently, mr speaker, buti cannot agree with what she says. the seaker, cannot agree with what she says. i“i;e: speaker, on saturday cannot agree with what she says. i“i9 speaker, on saturday i was out and about enjoying ice cream in lancashire, which i know you and yourfamily doing some lancashire, which i know you and your family doing some of the finest ice cream parlours in the north of england and they said to me, he is a wally, but hundreds of thousands of russians have just turned up and what the bloody hell are we doing talking about cake? ! does the prime minister agree with that statement? i thank her very much. i thank her very much and i think that what the country needs and what the west needs... , :. country needs and what the west needs... , .. , country needs and what the west needs... , , needs... sorry, can i 'ust say, if ou needs... sorry, can i 'ust say, if you don-t— needs... sorry, can i 'ust say, if you don-twanth needs... sorry, can i 'ust say, if you don't want to _ needs... sorry, can ijust say, if you don't want to carry - needs... sorry, can ijust say, if you don't want to carry on - you don't want to carry on questions, i am you don't want to carry on questions, lam happy you don't want to carry on questions, i am happy to now, but we are going _ questions, i am happy to now, but we are going to— questions, i am happy to now, but we are going to carry on questions i would _ are going to carry on questions i would rather hear the answers as well as_ would rather hear the answers as well as questions. standing up for a bit, well as questions. standing up for a hit. i_ well as questions. standing up for a hit. lam _ well as questions. standing up for a bit, i am going to sit down for a bit. ~ . . :, , , bit, i am going to sit down for a bit. ~ . _, , , :, bit, i am going to sit down for a bit. ~ . , , :, ,. bit. what the country needs now is a uk government _ bit. what the country needs now is a uk government working _ bit. what the country needs now is a uk government working with - bit. what the country needs now is a uk government working with our- uk government working with our friends and partners to stand up to vladimir putin and make sure we have a strong backing of sanctions and thatis a strong backing of sanctions and that is what we are doing.- that is what we are doing. thank ou, mr that is what we are doing. thank you, mr speaker. _ that is what we are doing. thank you, mr speaker. the _ that is what we are doing. thank you, mr speaker. the prime - that is what we are doing. thank - you, mr speaker. the prime minister sets the culture at number ten. why does he think that staff members there felt unable to raise their concerns about the bad behaviours reported today? mr concerns about the bad behaviours reported today?— concerns about the bad behaviours reported today? mr speaker, that is one of the recommendations - reported today? mr speaker, that is one of the recommendations of - reported today? mr speaker, that is one of the recommendations of the | one of the recommendations of the sue gray inquiry we are going to take up to make sure nobody should feel that in number ten and that is why we are going to review the code, to ensure that nobody feels they have any inhibition on coming forward with any complaint they may have. :, ~ forward with any complaint they may have. . ~ i. forward with any complaint they may have. . ~' ,, ~ forward with any complaint they may have. . ~ ~ .~ have. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister _ have. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister and _ have. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister and his _ have. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister and his allies - have. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister and his allies are i prime minister and his allies are trying to distract and deflect from the truth, but here are the indisputable facts. the prime minister attended downing street parties, he told this house and the people that we represent that he attended no parties and the fact that there were no parties. the rules were clearly broken. the ministerial code has been violated. so when will he stop insulting the intelligence of the british people and to do the right thing and resign? mr and to do the right thing and resin? ~ ,,, . ~ and to do the right thing and resin? ~ .~ . , and to do the right thing and resin? ~ ,,, . ~ . , ~ resign? mr speaker, i really think she has got _ resign? mr speaker, i really think she has got to — resign? mr speaker, i really think she has got to let _ resign? mr speaker, i really think she has got to let the _ resign? mr speaker, i really think. she has got to let the metropolitan police get on and do theirjob. thank you, mr speaker. does the prime minister not recognise that the public are rapidly losing faith in institutions that they must be able to trust if our democracy is to survive? because it appears that there is no individual, no organisation, no group or no force whose reputation won't be sacrificed on the altar of saving this prime minister. so can i ask the prime minister, does he consider the erosion of public trust and the foundations of our democracy a price worth paying to ensure his personal survival? mr worth paying to ensure his personal survival? ~ ,,, . ~ , . survival? mr speaker, i believe that the 've survival? mr speaker, i believe that they've and — survival? mr speaker, i believe that they've and nations, _ survival? mr speaker, i believe that they've and nations, amongst - survival? mr speaker, i believe that they've and nations, amongst the l they've and nations, amongst the foundations of our democracy are due process and the rule of law and allowing the police to get on with theirjob allowing the police to get on with their job and allowing the police to get on with theirjob and that is what we are going to do. theirjob and that is what we are going to do-_ theirjob and that is what we are auoin to do. . ~ ~ .~ going to do. thank you, mr speaker. part four of— going to do. thank you, mr speaker. part four of sue _ going to do. thank you, mr speaker. part four of sue gray's _ going to do. thank you, mr speaker. part four of sue gray's reports - going to do. thank you, mr speaker. part four of sue gray's reports as - part four of sue gray's reports as there is a culture of excessive consumption of alcohol, which is not appropriate. is there also a culture of excessive drug taking in downing street? mr of excessive drug taking in downing street? ~ ,,, . ~ of excessive drug taking in downing street? ~ .~ :, of excessive drug taking in downing street? ~ :, . , street? mr speaker, or any drug takin: street? mr speaker, or any drug taking would _ street? mr speaker, or any drug taking would be _ street? mr speaker, or any drug taking would be excessive. - street? mr speaker, or any drug i taking would be excessive. perhaps you should direct that question at the labour front bench.— the labour front bench. what? ! jeers jeers mr speaker, we have heard a lot about prejudging things today. iinuilyen about pre'udging things today. when we onl about prejudging things today. when we only have — about prejudging things today. when we only have to _ about prejudging things today. when we only have to look— about prejudging things today. when we only have to look at _ about prejudging things today. m9i we only have to look at paragraph three which talks about failures of leadership and judgment in different parts of number ten and the cabinet office and says some events should never have been allowed to take place. that is not prejudging anything, it is very clear, there's only one person in charge of events at number ten and that the prime minister, so let me talk to the publisher about rule breaking. like i had a call from a constituent, one of those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. she said to me she received a call in 2020 saying mum was deteriorating, but my sister and i drove to the home and spent the night sat on a chair outside her bedroom window watching her die. all i could do was sob and shout to her and tell her that i loved her. i could not even hold her hand. that is why you should go, prime minister. is why you should go, prime minister-— is why you should go, prime minister. ~ . ~ :, . , minister. mr speaker, itotally understand — minister. mr speaker, itotally understand the _ minister. mr speaker, itotally understand the feelings - minister. mr speaker, itotally understand the feelings of - minister. mr speaker, itotally understand the feelings of his| understand the feelings of his constituents and i accept that things could have been done better in numberten, as i have things could have been done better in number ten, as i have told the cab his house before, but really i must ask him to study what sue gray has said and we are acting on all her recommendations.— has said and we are acting on all her recommendations. thank you, mr seaker. her recommendations. thank you, mr speaker- which _ her recommendations. thank you, mr speaker. which one _ her recommendations. thank you, mr speaker. which one of _ her recommendations. thank you, mr speaker. which one of us, _ her recommendations. thank you, mr speaker. which one of us, mr- speaker. which one of us, mr speaker? thank you, mr speaker. can the prime minister explain how changing the civil service hierarchy will prevent him from breaching the covid regulations, as he has admitted, in this house? when will he take responsibility for his own actions, stop hiding behind other people? my constituents don't want another government department. they want him to resign. mr another government department. they want him to resign.— want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wron: want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in — want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what _ want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what she _ want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what she has _ want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what she has said - want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what she has said and . want him to resign. mr speaker, she is wrong in what she has said and a i is wrong in what she has said and a director to what i said earlier on. thank you, mr speaker. it has been further revealed that in april 2021, is the prime minister partied he also swiftly rejected the idea of bereavement bubbles for those who had lost loved ones. suffered miscarriages, stillbirths or a child's neonatal death. farfrom getting it, he has deflected, laughed and smoked his way through this statement. he is a disingenuous man, isn't he? mr this statement. he is a disingenuous man. isn't he?— man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i know this— man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i know this has _ man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i know this has been _ man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i know this has been a _ man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i know this has been a harrowing l man, isn't he? mr speaker, no, i. know this has been a harrowing and tragic experience for the entire country. we have done our best to deal with it and as for what she says about what has been going on in number ten, says about what has been going on in numberten, i says about what has been going on in number ten, i ask her to look at the report, but also to wait for the police inquiry. report, but also to wait for the police inquiry-— police inquiry. thank you, mr speaker- _ police inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. now, _ police inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. now, this _ police inquiry. thank you, mr| speaker. now, this afternoon police inquiry. thank you, mr - speaker. now, this afternoon we have heard the distraction, the deflection, confusion and we can't even get the answers to the simplest questions about whether we can actually get the full report published when it is available. so mr speaker, can i ask the prime minister, is it the case now that we are looking at a situation of hobble, hobble, clack, clack? mr speaker, i... nothing would give me greater pleasure than to publish everything that we currently have, but the fact is, mr speaker, there are legal impediments and we have to wait until the police inquiry has concluded. wait until the police inquiry has concluded-— wait until the police inquiry has concluded. . ~ concluded. thank you, mr speaker. i acce -t concluded. thank you, mr speaker. i accept entirely _ concluded. thank you, mr speaker. i accept entirely what _ concluded. thank you, mr speaker. i accept entirely what the _ concluded. thank you, mr speaker. i accept entirely what the prime - accept entirely what the prime minister has just accept entirely what the prime minister hasjust said. accept entirely what the prime minister has just said. it is absolutely essential that we wait... it is absolutely essential that we wait until we hear the next stage in these proceedings in relation to any future investigations. i would also like to draw attention to the historic achievements of this prime minister... jeers. in relation to not only delivering brexit, but in relation to delivering the vaccine roll—out and in relation to dealing with mr putin i believe that everybody should take that most family into account! i should take that most family into account! :, ~ , should take that most family into account! . ~ , . . account! i thank him very much and i think he is completely _ account! i thank him very much and i think he is completely right. - account! i thank him very much and i think he is completely right. he - think he is completely right. he might have added, by the way, that we have the fastest economic growth in the g7, thanks to the steps this government has been taking. irate in the g7, thanks to the steps this government has been taking. we have established that _ government has been taking. we have established that there _ government has been taking. we have established that there are _ government has been taking. we have established that there are parties, - established that there are parties, we are just really arguing about who is responsible and is the honourable memberfor is responsible and is the honourable member for thurrock said is responsible and is the honourable memberfor thurrock said earlier, member for thurrock said earlier, thatis memberfor thurrock said earlier, that is the minister, so if it is not him, is it the memberfor surrey heath or north cambridgeshire who should be facing the sack? i heath or north cambridgeshire who should be facing the sack?- should be facing the sack? i would remind the — should be facing the sack? i would remind the honourable _ should be facing the sack? i would remind the honourable lady - should be facing the sack? i would remind the honourable lady what l should be facing the sack? i would i remind the honourable lady what sue gray says in her paragraph is no such conclusion can be drawn so far, mr speaker. she must wait for the conclusion of the inquiry. mr speaker. — conclusion of the inquiry. ii speaker, the prime minister announced at the weekend that he would be calling president putin to urge de—escalation of the situation in ukraine. the mirror havejust reported that today the call has been cancelled because he has been dealing with the sue gray report. 50 can the prime minster confirmed that a matter of such great importance... we're just a matter of such great importance... we'rejust going to a matter of such great importance... we're just going to leave the chamber of the house of commons there, where they have been debating sue gray's report, the senior civil servant, which has criticised failures of leadership and judgment within number 10 downing street. the prime minster apologising, insisting, i get it and i will fix it. also promising a shake—up at ten, after it emerged police are investigating i2 ten, after it emerged police are investigating 12 events across government for covid breaches. and we have had a statement from the metropolitan police, saying their officers are reviewing at pace more than 300 images and 500 pages of information that have been handed over from the cabinet office. in a statement the met police said, having received the documentation from the cabinet office, we are now reviewing it at pace to confirm which individuals will need to be contacted for their account. the prioritisation will include reviewing all materials on the cabinet office, which includes more than 300 images and 500 pages of information. that is the latest from the metropolitan police. let's get a look at the latest weather forecast for you. that is with ben rich. good afternoon. storm corrie is sliding away eastwards and the weather is very, very slowly coming down, but it is still quite windy out there, risk of winds particular eastern counties, where coupled with the high tides that could bring potential for coastal flooding. some time for many, but by the end of the afternoon cloud and rain pushing into northern ireland and western scotland. chilly flavour is part of the night across eastern areas, but that cab will be working its way in from the west, outbreaks of rain, mist and hill fog and temperatures will actually climb by the end of the night, aberdeen, glasgow and belfast around i! the night, aberdeen, glasgow and belfast around 11 degrees as we start tuesday. a lot of cloud across the southern half of the uk with some spots of rain, the northern half of uk seeing some spells of sunshine and showers into the far north. it is going to be windy again across scotland, gusts of 60—70 mph in exposed northern areas. it is going to feel milder up there with highs of 12 or 13 degrees. this is bbc news. i'm victoria derbyshire live in downing street. the headlines at 5 the report into downing street parties says gatherings were 'difficult to justify�* — there was a 'failure of leadership' and 'excessive consumption of alcohol�*. the prime minister apologises. i understand the anger that the people feel. but mr spiegel, it is not enough to say sorry. this is a moment where we must express themselves and look at ourselves in themselves and look at ourselves in the mirror and must learn. sue gray listed 16 gatherings — 12 are being investigated by the met, three of those attended by the pm. labour leader keir starmer says borisjohnson is taking the public forfools and "hiding behind" that police investigation, and there's criticism from some conservatives as well.

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