Boris Johnson was facing a new Partygate crisis tonight after it was revealed he hosted 30 guests in a Downing Street stateroom to celebrate his birthday in 2020 while such gatherings were banned under Covid rules.
ITV also claims that the Prime Minister attended an event organised partly by Carrie, his wife in No10 Cabinet Room on June 19 to celebrate turning 56.
The broadcaster claims that they had celebrated their birthdays after he returned to the school in Hertfordshire. The broadcaster claims guests included the interior designer Lulu Lytle, which was responsible for a six-figure revamp of the PM’s official flat.
Also, it claimed there was an event that took place in the PM’s quarters later. This claim is denied by No10.
As Mr Johnson waits for the findings of an investigation by Cabinet Office official Sue Gray, the bombshell is delivered. This could be the turning point in Johnson’s premiership.
Mr Johnson suffered another body blow today as a Treasury minister dramatically quit, branding the government’s Covid anti-fraud measures ‘indolent, arrogant and ignorant’.
Lord Agnew, who announced his resignation at the Upper House despatchbox, drew gasps among peers. He took aim at “schoolboy mistakes” in dealing with abuse of support programs.
Boris Johnson visited Milton Keynes Hospital today while he waited for the Sue Gray investigation into Partygate.
ITV News reports that the Prime Minister hosted an event partly organized by Carrie, his wife, in the Cabinet Room at No10 on June 19, 2020 to commemorate turning 56.
After he returned from visiting Bovingdon Primary Academy, Hemel Hempstead (pictured), they are believed to have celebrated their birthday.
Lord Agnew declared that he would be stepping down at the Upper House’s despatchbox – drawing gasps of admirers
The bombshell came as he was updating peers about the £4.3billion of Covid loans written off by the Treasury – which Labour said has gone to ‘fraudsters’.
Lord Agnew claimed that he was arguing with Treasury and BEIS officers for more than two years over issues such duplicate loans and the monitoring of lender performance. He also said, “I have been most unsuccessful.”
He stated, “Given that my position is that of minister for anti-fraud,” that it was somewhat dishonest to keep that job if I’m incapable of performing it correctly.
“It is because of this that I regretfully decided to submit my resignation as Minister across the Treasury Cabinet Office and Cabinet Office immediately.
After ranting at the ‘combination between arrogances, indolences, and ignorance’ which is costing more than a penny income tax, Treasury minister said “thank you” and left the Lords chamber for the applause and cheers of his colleagues.
Even though Lord Agnew denied any connection to Johnson’s problems, this move will increase pressure on the already struggling premier.
Mr Johnson is facing another week from hell as the top civil servant finalises her inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches in Whitehall, while furious Tories prepare for another coup bid.
Dominic Cummings revealed today that he only gave written evidence in the Partygate inquiry, to prevent Mr Johnson from ‘inventing absurdities’ over what he claimed.
Lord Agnew said to the House, “The oversight both by BEIS as well the British Business Bank on the panel lenders for BBLs was absolutely woeful.”
“They were assisted by Treasury officials, who seem to not have any knowledge of the implications of fraud on our society or economy.”
Lords were informed by him that BEIS had two counter-fraud personnel at the beginning of the pandemic, but they would not engage constructively with the Cabinet Office’s counter-fraud group.
He stated that he had made a number of mistakes, including allowing bounceback loans to be granted to over 1,000 companies who were not even trading on the day Covid took power.
Lord Agnew attempted to disengage himself from growing demands to expel the PM.
“This is not an attack on the Prime Minister and I am sorry for any inconvenience it will cause.” This isn’t an attack on Prime Minister. I apologize for the inconvenience.
“I hope it will be a sign that I am not an unknown minister outside of this area, and it may encourage others who are more important than me to support this cause and get it sorted out.
It matters because of all the obvious factors, but there’s a lot more income tax that could be claimed if we wake up.
‘Total fraud loss across Government is estimated at £29billion a year, of course not all can be stopped but a combination of arrogance indolence and ignorance freezes the Government machine.’
Lord Agnew informed peers that initial estimates of Covid fraud were 26% of total loans so far.
He said: ‘We have already paid out nearly £1 billion to banks claiming the state guarantee. It is estimated that 26% of the losses were due to fraud, rather than credit-related failures. This is a rough estimate, but it’s very concerning.
Lord Agnew stated, as he was stepping down, that he had four differences with Treasury officials and went on to say what he wanted.
These included: Improvement in data performance of lenders, which includes a common definition for fraud.
‘2. We uncover inconsistency, which is a much greater challenge for lender banks.
‘3. • Educating Treasury officials about why audit is too reactive.
‘4. A failure by Treasury or BEIS to understand the disjunction between the level of criminality – probably hundreds of thousands – and enforcement capability.
Following a question by Lord Tunnicliffe, the Labour shadow of Lord Agnew, Lord Agnew resigned as Treasury minister.
Lord Tunnicliffe asked: ‘Last week the Government objected to the £4.3billion figure quoted in various news reports.
“We would like to see fraud from the government’s coronavirus assistance scheme in fewer ways than we initially believed.” Does the noble lord, minister have a better idea of today’s figures?
He further asked why the Government expected workers to make up these lost earnings.
The Lords Baroness Smith said after the resignation that the Labour leader was leaving the House: “I believe we just witnessed one the most dramatic moments ever witnessed in the House by a minister who believed his integrity couldn’t ensure he continued to be a member the Government.”
No10 insisted that the government had committed clear fraud and was therefore unacceptable.
According to the official spokesperson of the Prime Minister, Lord Agnew was thanked for his significant contributions to Government.
“On the bigger issues that he has raised, I introduced my unprecedented Covid support scheme at speed to preserve jobs and livelihoods. This helped millions in the UK including 12 million on the furlough program alone.
‘We’ve always been clear fraud is unacceptable and are taking action against those abusing the system, with 150,000 ineligible claims blocked, £500 million recovered last year and the HMRC tax protection taskforce is expected to recover an additional £1 billion of taxpayers’ money.’
The resignation of the minister was not the first to occur at the House of Lords’ despatch box.
Lord Bates, a 2018 peer stunner, announced that he was going to quit because he had been ‘ashamed for failing’ to show up in the upper chamber.
But, Theresa May rejected the resignation offer from the International Development Minister.
In the middle of the Brexit dispute, he left the Government and walked to Brussels the next year in search for ‘common ground’.
In the meantime Mr Cummings, former Chief No10 Officer, said he won’t speak directly to Sue Gray as staff don’t hand crucial material to civil servants because Boris Johnson may see it.
The comments came amid rumours Downing Street police have supplied ‘extremely damning’ testimony to Ms Gray, with storm clouds seemingly gathering around Mr Johnson.
However, the spokesperson for the PM refused to confirm that Ms Gray’s entire report would be published. He said it was up to the Premier to decide how much.
Already, Mr Cummings stated that he was ready to swear that Johnson was warned about a “BYOB” bash that would take place in May 2020.
An ex-aide said in a blog that he was unable to write down what he allegedly said. However, the written record makes life easier for both of us.
‘She agreed. “She agreed. I’ve answered all her questions and can answer any additional questions she may have. However, I won’t speak so that the PM has more opportunities to mislead and confuse everyone.
“I have heard from others that they are concerned about giving items to the Cabinet Office as they know that the PM is going to see all the information SG gathers. This will invariably mean that she won’t receive any evidence (including photos) and it will continue to leak after her report.
He said that caution was a ‘consequence for beliefs about the PM’s integrity, but not SG’s’.
According to reports, guardian No10 officers from Scotland Yard’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command were ‘only too eager’ to give accounts during the investigation.
But, the prime minister has defied and is said to have reunited his team of friends who helped him gain leadership for strengthening support from the MPs. They have given the group the nickname of the ‘Avengers’ by Wags. It includes Nigel Adams and Conor Burns ministers.
He will likely push Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker) to reply to Ms Gray’s conclusions within 24 hours of their publication, so that he can control the narrative.
Pictured today outside of his London residence, Mr Cummings has made a number of accusations against the PM regarding Partygate
Boris Johnson insists he is taking ex-minister Nusrat Ghani’s claim she was sacked in reshuffle over ‘Muslimness’ ‘extremely seriously’ as he launches a civil service probe following calls from Cabinet members for a ‘proper investigation’
Boris Johnson today insisted he is taking allegations an ex-minister was sacked over ‘Muslimness’ ‘extremely seriously’ as he ordered a formal Cabinet Office investigation into the claims.
The Prime Minister has instructed the civil service to carry out a probe after the extraordinary claims from Tory MP Nusrat Ghani.
The move came after Cabinet ministers Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid joined calls for a ‘proper’ inquiry – with others suggesting it should be fully independent.
Mr Johnson told reporters on a visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital this morning: ‘We take these allegations extremely seriously. I took them very seriously when they were raised with me 18 months ago.
‘Very glad there’s an investigation taking place now, can’t say more really about it.’
Downing Street announced the probe this morning, with a Number 10 spokeswoman saying: ‘The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by Nusrat Ghani MP.
‘At the time these allegations were first made, the Prime Minister recommended to her that she make a formal complain to CCHQ. She did not take up this offer.
‘The Prime Minister has now asked officials to establish the facts about what happened.
‘As he said at the time, the Prime Minister takes these claims very seriously.’
Nusrat Ghani (pictured), the Tory MP for Wealden in East Sussex, has alleged her ‘Muslimness’ was raised when she was sacked as transport minister in February 2020
Ms Ghani alleged that chief whip Mark Spencer said her faith was partly responsible for her getting the boot in 2020 – something he flatly denies.
Mr Johnson was asked this morning if Mr Spencer will remain in his role while the investigation is carried out and he replied: ‘Just to get back to the key point, this is something I take personally extremely seriously. I took it very seriously 18 months ago. We must wait and see what the investigation produces.’
Ms Ghani has contradicted No10’s version of events, saying the PM refused to get involved and tried to fob her off.
After the announcement, Ms Ghani insisted the terms of reference for the probe must including ‘all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip’.
Ms Ghani said: ‘As I said to the Prime Minister last night all I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate.
‘I welcome his decision to do that now.
‘The terms of reference of the inquiry must include all that was said in Downing Street and by the Whip.
‘I look forward to seeing the terms of reference.’
In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Zahawi welcomed the news, but stressed he did not think the allegations had been taken lightly before.
He said he personally had never ‘experienced any form of racism’ in the Conservative Party.
The Education Secretary told Sky News: ‘She has made a very serious allegation, the Prime Minister spoke to her last night and said the Cabinet Office will investigate this and look at the detail of this.
‘She put out a statement last night saying actually, to be fair to her, this could be people who weren’t even members of the Conservative Party, which is why we need to get to the bottom of this very quickly.
‘And of course the Chief Whip (Mark Spencer) has come out and named himself as the individual and I work with both colleagues, and I think it is important that someone like a Cabinet Office senior civil servant should look at this properly, because the Chief Whip has also categorically denied this.’
A thinktank has called on the Government to bring in the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate the claims.
The Runnymede Trust, a race equality thinktank, says the issue is too important to be left to a civil servant-led inquiry.
Chief executive Dr Halima Begum told the Guardian: ‘This is an incredibly serious situation. At a bare minimum, the allegation that a minister of the crown was fired for her so-called ‘Muslimness’ would represent a flagrant challenge to our equalities and labour laws.
‘The facts and questions about the legality of what has happened here must be urgently investigated by the very highest authority. This cannot simply be left for another civil service inquiry. If the allegations are proven to be true, Nusrat would have been subjected to grossly discriminatory behaviour.
‘[Her]Every one of the three million Muslims living in this country will feel the pain, along with every member of any of our religious minorities. Every political party must do more to show zero tolerance for discrimination and prove that all religious minorities are valued in this country, regardless of faith.
Caroline Nokes was chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee. She described Ms Ghani’s treatment as “appalling”.
The Telegraph also reported that she supported calls for an EHRC investigation. She said: “Her faith has not made me [or any other coworker] uncomfortable.”
“At the most, EHRC ought to have a look.”
A spokesperson for the EHRC stated that the Commission continues to examine the Conservative Party’s response to the Singh inquiry about Islamophobia complaints. He suggested that a thorough investigation might be conducted.
A spokesperson added that if progress is not satisfactory, we will reconsider our decision [not to begin an immediate review]We do not exclude the possibility of using our legal power.
Nadhim Zahawi, in a round interview this morning, welcomed the news of a Cabinet Office investigation
This morning, Ms Ghani’s extraordinary claims were referred to the PM. The civil service was instructed by the PM to investigate. Mark Spencer, right) identified himself as the whip in question and called Ms Ghani’s remarks ‘false and defamatory.
Following the announcement Ms. Ghani insists that the terms of reference must include ‘all the things said by Downing Street or the Whip’
Elsewhere, a Tory MP sparked anger after he said Ms Ghani was ‘hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim’.
Michael Fabricant stated that the ex-transport minister made the claim at a time “very suspicious” and said it could be linked to attempts to remove Boris Johnson from Downing Street over the lockdown party scandal.
Yesterday, Labour described Mr Fabricant’s comments as ‘shameful’ and called for the Conservative whip to be withdrawn.
Fabricant stated that the timing was interesting when he spoke on LBC. All this may be because Boris Johnson is open to criticism, which puts pressure on Johnson from within the party to quit.
Nus Ghani says, “I think that the whole thing is actually disgusting.”
“She’s not an obvious Muslim. She didn’t even know what religion she was. I find it rather lame that she was fired for this reason.
David Lammy, Shadow Foreign Secretary, tweeted in response: “What an appalling and disgraceful thing you say.”
“If the Tories want to prove that they are serious in tackling Islamophobia they can start with removing Michael Fabricant’s whip.”
Anneliese Dodds chair Labour Party said that Ms Ghani had made a terrible claim and the Tories responded in a shameful manner.
She said that Michael Fabricant (a Conservative MP) was able to make remarks on the radio about unacceptable behaviours similar to those raised by Nusrat.
Ms. Ghani received support from Education Nadhimzahawi (the two highest ranking Muslims in the Cabinet) and Sajid Javid (Health Secretary).
Both of them took to Twitter and supported her, requesting an investigation into Spencer’s claims.
He identified himself as the whip in question and called Ms. Ghani’s remarks ‘false and defamatory.
Dominic Raab (Justice secretary) also stood by to defend the party. He claimed she hadn’t called for an investigation.
Javid claimed that Ms. Ghani is ‘a credit for the Conservative Party’ and added: “This matter needs to be properly investigated. She must be heard and I strongly support her making a formal complaint.
After Mr Zahawi’s tweet, his intervention claimed that he had said: “There is no room for Islamophobia or any type of racism within our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out. #standwithNus’ .
Ms Ghani, who was the first Muslim woman to be elected as a Tory MP in 2015, told the Sunday Times she was told by a party whip she was being axed in February 2020 because her status as a Muslim woman and a minister was ‘making colleagues feel uncomfortable’.
She also claimed she was warned that if she continued to raise the issue then her ‘career and reputation would be destroyed’.
But yesterday morning Downing Street revealed that Ms Ghani had complained directly to the PM in 2020. A spokeswoman said: ‘After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them.
“He sent her an email expressing concern about her and asking her to initiate a formal process of complaint. She didn’t do this.
After that statement was released, Ms Ghani said: ‘When I told the Prime Minister in June 2020 what had been said to me in the Government Whips’ Office I urged him to take it seriously as a Government matter and instigate an inquiry.
“He advised me to use the Internal Conservative Party Complaint Process.
“This, as you already noted, was clearly inappropriate for something that occurred on Government business. I don’t even know if I was told about the reshuffle meetings at Downing Street by Conservative Party members.