LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The deadline for officials from Downing Street to protest against being named in Sue Gray’s report on parties during the lockdown has passed.
The investigation’s lead civil servant is anticipated to release her conclusions in the coming days.
Ms Gray had full control over the facts disclosed, said Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to the BBC.
However, Labour asked that the study be made public in its whole and with all supporting documentation.
Officials who were expected to be mentioned as having organised or attended gatherings had until Sunday at 17:00 BST to express their objections.
Whitehall sources warned the BBC that obstacles could cause the report’s release to be delayed.
A subsequent inquiry by the Metropolitan Police resulted in 126 fines being handed to 83 people, one of them was PM Boris Johnson.
During her own inquiry, Ms Gray obtained evidence, including 510 photos.
According to the BBC, it is doubtful that all of the photographs will be disclosed, though some may be given to highlight the nature of the meetings.
When asked if all of Ms Gray’s evidence will be included in her report on BBC One’s Sunday Morning, Mr Zahawi said that he would definitely welcome it. It was the right decision.
He expressed his complete faith in the prime minister, telling host Jo Coburn that Sue Gray would make that judgement [about what to put in the report]. Sue Gray was in complete control over that.
On Friday, it was revealed that the PM and Ms Gray had met many weeks prior to discuss the report, but reports of what was discussed differ.
Opposition parties have called on Mr Johnson to explain the meeting, claiming it jeopardises public trust in the probe.
The PM wouldn’t ever influence the conclusion of the probe, Mr Zahawi said.
All through the process, the PM had enabled Sue Gray to act independently, he added.
Mr Johnson had been “clear throughout” that the assessment should be totally independent, and its results had not been discussed, according to Downing Street.
