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The long-awaited Sue Gray report into the government’s ‘partygate’ has been published today.
The initial findings of Sue Gray’s long-awaited report into the Downing Street ‘partygate’ allegations have finally been released, concluding that there were “failures of leadership and judgement” in Number 10 and the Cabinet Office.
The 12-page report, which was handed to the prime minister this morning ahead of its public release, primarily focuses on the events that took place on 15 May, 27 November, 10 December and 15 December 2020, as these are not currently being investigated by the police.
The report comes after the Metropolitan Police asked Gray – who is a senior civil servant currently serving as second permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office – to limit the publication of any potentially criminal events and behaviour while investigations continue.
However, while the report was unable to touch upon many key areas, many of its conclusions paint a damning picture of the culture in Downing Street throughout the pandemic.
Below, we’ve unpacked some of the key findings unveiled in the report, and looked at what might happen next.
What were the main findings of the Sue Gray report?
The behaviour was “difficult to justify”
While Gray’s report doesn’t focus on any specific details or events, it does focus on the wider behaviour and culture which led to ‘partygate’ taking place.
As she writes at one point: “Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify.”
Later, she adds: “At least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just 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.”
There were “failures of leadership”
The report claims that members of the Cabinet Office and Number 10 gave “too little thought” to what was happening across the country and whether the gatherings were appropriate – and focuses on the actions of those in charge.
“There were failures of leadership and judgement by different parts of Number 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times,” Gray writes in the report.
Later on, Gray also mentions an issue with the number of people now working at Number 10, and says the structures to organise these staff “have not evolved sufficiently” as time has gone on.
“The leadership structures are fragmented and complicated and this has sometimes led to the blurring of lines of accountability,” Gray explains. “Too much responsibility and expectation is placed on the senior official whose principal function is the direct support of the Prime Minister. This should be addressed as a matter of priority.”
Staff were unable to “raise concerns”
An interesting and unexpected section of the report highlights how staff within Number 10 reacted to the gatherings, and how they “felt unable” to raise concerns about the behaviours they witnessed at work.
“No member of staff should feel unable to report or challenge poor conduct where they witness it,” the report reads. “There should be easier ways for staff to raise such concerns informally, outside of the line management chain.”
Some of the events should not have taken place
One of the most conclusive lines in the report comes in section three of Gray’s general findings, in which she simply writes: “Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did.”
While it’s unclear which events she’s referring to under these descriptors, it’s been made clear that the actions of Number 10 were unjustified.
There is “significant learning” to be drawn
While Gray acknowledges in her report that many of the events are currently under police investigation, and explains that she’s handed over her findings to the Met as part of this process, she also suggests that the government begin to take action on her findings before the police are finished.
“There is significant learning to be drawn from these events which must be addressed immediately across government,” the report’s conclusion reads. “This does not need to wait for the police investigations to be concluded.”
What will happen next?
While it’s unclear exactly what will happen as a result of Gray’s report, we do know that Boris Johnson will be addressing the Commons at 3:30pm today in regards to its findings.
The preliminary nature of Gray’s report is also being questioned; many senior Conservatives have joined opposition MPs in demanding that the report be published in full, despite the criminal investigation.
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