Partygate report expected: Johnson’s moment of truth is near

A report in London is expected to shed more light on the Downing Street lockdown affair. The consequences could be significant. Premier Johnson threatens trouble.

In the affair of lockdown parties in Boris Johnson’s British seat of government, the hour of enlightenment is approaching. The investigation report, for which top official Sue Gray has been collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses for weeks, could be made public today, the BBC, the Financial Times and other British media reported in the evening.

However, it cannot be ruled out that the eagerly awaited moment of truth will be delayed again. At the same time, the London police are investigating some celebrations in Downing Street.

The police investigation announced on Tuesday initially threatened to delay indefinitely the release of the report by Sue Gray, who is based in the UK government’s Cabinet Office. However, the official, who is considered incorruptible and uncompromising, is said to want to present her results as soon as possible.

Johnson’s political survival depends on the results

In addition, the police reportedly had no objection, as Gray’s report was not intended to be about criminal penalties, only to clarify the facts. Several Christmas parties, a birthday round, a garden party and late-night drinking before Prince Philip’s funeral: the list of allegedly illegal gatherings in Downing Street has become long.

Sue Gray’s report is intended to clarify who celebrated when, where, how often and for how long with whom. Nothing less than Boris Johnson’s political survival depends on the results. Around half a dozen Tory MPs have already publicly called for the Prime Minister’s resignation. Many others said they wanted to await the report.

Further apology expected from Johnson

Boris Johnson himself should first receive the report and then present it to the public a few hours later, as reported by the ITV broadcaster. Johnson is expected to issue another profuse apology and announce sweeping reform of Downing Street’s drinking culture – determined to save his political survival.

On Tuesday, the prime minister welcomed the police investigation and said it would help draw a “closure” on the matter. It remains to be seen whether this will turn out as Johnson envisages. Because even more exciting than the big clarification of the Partygate affair should therefore be the reactions in Johnson’s faction.

If at least 15 percent of the conservative deputies – that’s 54 members of parliament – express no confidence in him, the prime minister has to face a vote. Nobody knows how many secret letters Graham Brady, the chairman of the responsible committee, has received so far.