Gray spent months investigating the illegal drinking and partying on Downing Street during the corona quarantines, explaining in great detail: which parties were when, what happened, who was there and why. The report will also contextualize the meetings. Then explain what the government has said about the coronavirus and what the law allows.
The reports and results are not expected to be outsourced. Multiple violations of the rules, for example, would be a drinking culture deeply ingrained in the heart of the UK government and a complete failure of leadership at the top of the civil service.
Pictures
There is something potentially explosive in this report: the images. Dozens or even hundreds of photos would become part of Sue Gray’s investigation. It is not yet known whether all photos or just one selection will be made public.
What we do know is that images can be the most damaging to public perception. If more photos are published showing ministers and even the Prime Minister himself at parties, it will leave an indelible impression.
How does Gray’s report differ from a police investigation?
The police also conducted their own investigation. This resulted in a fine of 126 for 83 workers at the heart of the UK government. This makes 10 Downing Street the best address in the UK. But much is unclear about the police investigation: for example, no names have been announced and which parties have been fined.
Prime Minister Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak have announced that they have been fined. They got these sentences for a birthday cake on June 19, 2020.
According to British media, the prime minister is said to have attended four more meetings that were not fined, while others were fined during the same meetings. This has led to many questions that can now be answered with Sue Gray’s detailed report.
What does this mean for Prime Minister Johnson?
Johnson faces another political storm in the coming days. Relatives of the corona victims will react angrily and opposition politicians will again call on him to resign. But in the end, the reaction of the Conservative MPs is decisive; Only Johnson’s own party can blame him.
The question then is whether Sue Gray’s details are enough to turn conservatives against her. Several Conservative MPs have openly called for Johnson’s departure in recent months, but to force a vote on his leadership, at least 54 Conservative MPs had to write to Johnson to reassure them. This number has not yet been reached.
The momentum seems to be over
It remains to be seen how much Gray’s final report will affect Johnson’s position. After six months of controversy over Partygate, the momentum has faded a bit. Rather, the report is a result of the scandal, a final and official report following passages previously leaked to the press.
Either way, it will be another blow to the already badly damaged image of the prime minister. In terms of public perception, this would probably confirm what people already thought: that he wasn’t following his own rules. And there is no point in relying on UK government institutions in the long run.
Source: NOS
Smith Charles is a talented entertainment journalist and author at The Nation View. He has a passion for all things entertainment and writes about the latest movies, TV shows, music, and celebrity news. He’s known for his in-depth interviews with actors, musicians, and other industry figures, and his ability to provide unique perspectives on the entertainment industry.
