The 60-page document of Sue Gray’s report contains details of more than a dozen events that took place during the height of the pandemic between 2020 and 2021. This included a "bring-your-own-booze" garden party and the prime minister's birthday celebrations.
The report also includes pictures of Boris Johnson giving a toast on the departure of a special adviser and Chancellor Rishi Sunak attending the PM's birthday party in June 2020.
Summary
On 20 May 2020, there was a gathering in the No 10 garden. The investigation was told that the event was for the purposes of boosting staff morale following a challenging period for staff. The invitation for the event was made initially to No 10 staff and was then extended to other individuals and teams in the Cabinet Office. It was an event planned in advance by officials and attended by a significant number of people. Some concerns were expressed about whether it was appropriate to hold the event.
The event
Approximately 20-30 staff gathered in the canteen at around 17.00 on 10 December 2020. Staff had been invited to bring their own refreshments, including a suggestion in the invitation that those joining should bring their own bottle. At the event there was wine, some of which, along with mince pies, was provided by the Secretary of State and his Private Office. The Secretary of State thanked staff at the event, leaving shortly afterwards to travel back to his constituency. Some people remained in the canteen for a short period. The event lasted around 60 minutes
Findings of second permanent secretary’s investigation into alleged gatherings: Report
1. On 8 December 2021 the Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Secretary to carry out an investigation into allegations reported in the media relating to gatherings in No 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education during November and December 2020.
2. On 17 December 2021 the Cabinet Secretary recused himself from the investigation as a result of allegations concerning an online quiz held by his private office in the Cabinet Office on 17 December 2020 in 70 Whitehall. It was at this point that I was asked to lead this work.
3. The terms of reference for the investigation were published on 9 December 2021. The primary purpose of the investigation was to establish a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings including attendance; the setting; and the purpose, with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time.
4. On 31 January 2022 Gray published an update (appended to this report and including the detailed terms of reference and the timeline of regulations) which set out the methodology of the investigation; the 16 gatherings within its scope; and a number of limited, general findings. It also confirmed that the Metropolitan Police Service had decided to investigate events on the following dates:
20 May 2020: a gathering in the garden of No 10 Downing Street for No 10 staff;
18 June 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a No 10 official;
19 June 2020: a gathering in the Cabinet room in No 10 Downing Street on the Prime Minister’s birthday;
13 November 2020: a gathering in the No 10 Downing Street flat;
13 November 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a special adviser;
17 December 2020: a gathering in Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall to hold an online Christmas quiz for the Cabinet Secretary’s private office;
17 December 2020: a gathering in Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a senior Cabinet Office official and a No 10 official;
17 December 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of two No 10 officials;
18 December 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street ahead of the Christmas break;
14 January 2021; a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of two No 10 officials;
16 April 2021; A gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a senior No 10 official;
16 April 2020; gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of another No 10 official.
The Metropolitan Police has issued 126 fines for rule breaches in No 10 and Whitehall, with the PM receiving a single fixed-penalty notice for his birthday party. In her report, senior civil servant Sue Gray stated that a number of these events were a clear breach of Covid restrictions in place at the time and said the senior leadership "must bear responsibility for this culture".
The report not only throws light on the toxic culture and bad behaviour towards subordinates at No 10 and some parties went on into the early hours of the morning. The report suggests that officials would rename events to make them seem less like parties.
