Met Police Await Sue Gray Probe Before Launching Party Investigation
Met Police Hold Fire for Sue Gray’s Findings
The Metropolitan Police say they will only consider opening a criminal investigation if Sue Gray, the top civil servant probing Downing Street’s controversial garden party, uncovers evidence of a possible crime. The force confirmed it’s in “ongoing contact” with the Cabinet Office about the event on May 20, 2020 — which Boris Johnson later admitted attending after ITV News leaked an invite email.
Leaked Email Sparks Fury
The bombshell email, sent by the PM’s private secretary Martin Reynolds, urged staff to “make the most of the lovely weather” by joining “socially distanced drinks” in the Number 10 garden. Johnson insists he thought it was a “work event” and claimed the gathering technically complied with lockdown rules — despite the pictures and the invite suggesting otherwise.
Good Law Project Threatens Legal Action
Campaign group Good Law Project slammed the police for dragging their feet. They say the leaked email is enough evidence to warrant a police probe and warn that ignoring it could be “unlawful.” In a letter to ITV News and the Mirror, they revealed plans to challenge any decision not to investigate in court. The group argues there are solid grounds to investigate the lockdown breach retrospectively given the “clear evidence” of wrongdoing.
Number 10 and Home Secretary Hold the Line
Downing Street says Sue Gray’s report should conclude before any police action begins. Home Secretary Priti Patel insists it’s “absolutely right” for the Met to wait. She told broadcasters: “There’s an ongoing investigation, that investigation needs to conclude, and then obviously other actions could be taken post that investigation, but we can’t pre-empt things right now.”
Opposition Slams “Shady Establishment Stitch-Up”
The Lib Dems hit out at the Met, accusing them of allowing a “shady establishment stitch-up.” They insisted: “The police don’t need the Government’s permission to investigate a crime, and they mustn’t turn a blind eye to criminality just because it is committed by Boris Johnson.”
