Boris Johnson has insisted Sue Gray’s report on the partygate row will be independent despite questions over a controversial meeting between the Prime Minister and the senior official.
The Prime Minister would not be drawn on the meeting but said he would say more on the subject of lockdown-busting parties in No 10 and Whitehall when Ms Gray’s report is published – something which is expected within days.
A senior minister said Ms Gray invited Mr Johnson to a meeting as she prepared to release her report and it would have been “churlish” to decline the request.
Simon Clarke, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, insisted the integrity of the Cabinet Office inquiry into lockdown breaches in Downing Street had not been damaged by the meeting.
Mr Johnson refused to comment on the details of the meeting, but said “of course” Ms Gray remained independent.
He told reporters at a school in south-east London “it can’t be long now” before the report is out, adding he could say more then.
“You are just going to have to hold your horses a little bit longer,” Mr Johnson said.
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