Boris Johnson is expected to be the scapegoat for civil service chief Simon Case this week in a desperate effort to save his own job, as both men face scathing criticism in a report on parties violating the Downing Street blockade.
The long-awaited findings of high-ranking mandarin Sue Gray, according to several sources, will blame Case, the highest-ranking government official in the UK, for allowing a culture of drinking in which rule-breaking parties have become commonplace. during blocking.
A high-ranking Whitehall figure who saw sections of the report said it could be more damaging to Johnson than the fine he was given in April for attending his own birthday because it would clarify the prime minister’s involvement. in several other events he may have violated the rules but for which he was not fined.
“From my expectations of what I know, this will be the real deal. There will be details. There will be evidence. She will say that this is under your supervision, this is your house and all sorts of things like that, “the source said.
Senior officials are prepared for Case to be so heavily criticized that he will have to offer his resignation or be fired by Johnson before Johnson can say he has acted decisively and learned lessons.
“Probably why.” [Case] it’s still there [and not moved from his post already]”Said a source. “Because Johnson needs a body.” However, if Case loses his job, it would mean that a civil servant who is not fined will lose his job, and a prime minister who is fined will keep his.
A friend of Gray’s, who has worked with her at a high level in the civil service, said the report would be a “terrible read” for both the prime minister and his top government officials, and that Gray was not in the mood to be forced to dilute her findings.
Parts of the report could be more damaging to the prime minister than the fine he was given for attending his own birthday, according to a Whitehall senior official. Photo: Andrew Parsons / Downing Street 10 / AFP / Getty Images
The friend said that before the Johnson era, the only party ever held among Downing Street staff was the annual Christmas party. “In those days we didn’t have karaoke machines and suitcases to bring drinks. I think it will be very difficult for Simon Case. “
Gray was appointed to take over the party investigation last December by Case himself after it was revealed that he hosted an event in his own office on December 17, 2020, for which invitations were sent with the caption “Christmas Party!” the government said at the time that employees at Case’s office had taken part in a “virtual quiz”.
Johnson and Case, along with about a dozen other officials, are expected to be named by Gray.
Although she is not expected to reveal a new detail or photo of the “smoking gun”, which in itself will cause inevitable damage to the prime minister, the overall impression of those familiar with the report is that his criticism of the leadership’s failures at the very top it will be difficult to survive without a senior falling on his sword.
Another source with knowledge of Gray’s thinking said: “Sue is in a very good place to make judgments. She has worked in the heart of the government for a very long time. I think there is a real question.
“What the hell was this time and place where all this was allowed to go on?” She has worked with any number of prime ministers, so I think she will be an element of “What was that? Was it a wider culture?
He added: “What I’ve been told is that no one will come out of looking good. So there will be damage to Johnson. In many respects, this may be more detrimental to him than the fine, because the fine was for a relatively insignificant thing. [his birthday party] that people were surprised he was fined. So he managed to apologize.
“Given that what will actually come out in Sue’s report is details of some of the other incidents that may be more difficult to explain. So, although he was not fined for them, the detail that comes out will not look good. “
Gray has contacted about two dozen people she intends to identify, directly or indirectly, because of their involvement in Downing Street events. They have until the end of Sunday to respond, and many are said to be struggling to remain anonymous. “There is a huge problem with publicity and anonymity,” said one insider.
When Gray considers these late statements, she will take them into account before presenting her report to Downing Street. Johnson promised to publish it in full and without delay. The release is expected this week, along with a statement to Johnson Municipalities.
The prime minister was under pressure on Saturday to explain a recent meeting he had with Gray. This led to allegations that № 10 tried to intervene and mitigate its findings.
Of course, Gray and Johnson met earlier this month, although a Whitehall source said the contents of the report had not been discussed at any time. Downing Street said the meeting was at Gray’s request, although bills differed yesterday.
Angela Raynor, the deputy leader of the Labor Party, called on the Prime Minister to “urgently explain” why the “secret meeting” took place. She said public confidence in the process had already been damaged.
“Boris Johnson urgently needs to explain why he held a secret meeting with Sue Gray to discuss her report, although he says her investigation is completely independent,” she said. “Public confidence in the process has been exhausted and people deserve to know the truth.
“This is a prime minister unable to take responsibility for the rotten culture he has created on Downing Street or to do the right thing. Sue Gray’s report must be published in full and with all the supporting evidence.
Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardin also called on the prime minister to shed light on the meeting. “Every breath of seam will make an absolute mockery of the report,” she said.
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