Boris Johnson didn’t tell Cabinet about Metropolitan Police opening a formal investigation into Partygate, despite being made aware by his senior ministers.
Number 10 claimed that Mr Johnson had not discussed the police investigation during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. However, he confirmed that he was aware of the ongoing probe.
According to the Official Spokesman of the Prime Minister, the investigation was ‘confirmed by police during Cabinet so he did not specifically refer it’.
Boris Johnson didn’t tell Cabinet about Metropolitan Police opening a formal investigation into Partygate, despite being made aware by his top ministers.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick yesterday said that officers were investigating “numbers of events” at Whitehall and Downing Street.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick yesterday announced that officers are investigating a ‘number of events’ in Downing Street and Whitehall.
The move came after the police were passed information from the Cabinet Office Partygate probe which is being led by senior official Sue Gray.
While Mr Johnson and his Cabinet were meeting, Dame Cressida announced the news.
Cabinet ministers must leave their phones at home during Cabinet meetings. This allows them to learn about police investigations after the public.
After his leadership fell into greater danger, Mr Johnson said that he was happy for Scotland Yard to investigate and that officers should ‘help draw a line under matters.
Yesterday morning, the PM met with his Cabinet but didn’t discuss the probe into police conduct with his ministers.
The PM’s Official Spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister was made aware shortly before Cressida Dick announced that in her session.’
The spokesman for Johnson answered “Yes” when asked whether Johnson knew anything about the investigation in Cabinet.
The spokesman said: ‘That was confirmed by the police while Cabinet was taking place so he didn’t reference it specifically, he alluded to that at the end of Cabinet but beyond that no.
“He said that he would ensure the Government doesn’t be deterred from doing the job. He didn’t give any details about the Met because Cressida made the comments during Cabinet.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said, “From my understanding it’s important to not pre-empt any police statement regarding this type of issue at anytime.”
“That was the judgement that the Prime Minister reached. At that point, it was unclear at exactly what stage the Met would issue that statement. The Prime Minister will discuss relevant issues with Cabinet members.
According to the spokesman, “It’s understandable that given the sensitive nature that Met was due to announce, it is right that that wasn’t pre-empted by any means.”
Mr Johnson told ministers during the Cabinet meeting that he will ‘not be deterred from getting on with the job’.
Yesterday morning, the PM met with his Cabinet but didn’t discuss the probe into police conduct with his ministers
He ended the session by ’emphasising there was more work to do to deliver for the public and that the Government would not be deterred from getting on with the job’, according to a Number 10 spokesman.
Also, the Cabinet discussed the Government’s net zero strategy. Mr Johnson pointed out that it will be two years since the UK resigned from the European Union.
According to the spokesman, he said that although he had described how the United States has used its freedom to take advantage of many opportunities, there was more work to be done. We must show investors, British citizens, and businesses the positive changes in the world by unleashing growth and innovation.
‘The Business Secretary and the Chancellor spoke to us about the future of regulation. And the Prime Minister challenged the Cabinet to move faster and further to implement the Government’s reform agenda.