Top mandarin who runs Boris Johnson’s private office lined up to be ‘fall guy’ for Partygate

A prime civil servant who runs Boris Johnson’s personal workplace is being lined as much as change into the ‘fall man’ for the No 10 Partygate row, senior sources have mentioned.

Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minister’s principal personal secretary, is anticipated to be moved after the Cupboard Workplace concludes its investigation into whether or not guidelines had been damaged at a sequence of No 10 gatherings throughout Covid lockdowns. 

One possibility being explored is handy Mr Reynolds a senior diplomatic function, presumably at ambassador degree.

Mr Reynolds was pictured sitting with the Prime Minister and his then fiancee, Carrie Symonds, at a ‘cheese and wine’ social gathering held within the Downing Avenue backyard on Might 15, 2020. 

Martin Reynolds (above), the Prime Minister’s principal personal secretary, is anticipated to be moved after the Cupboard Workplace concludes its investigation into whether or not guidelines had been damaged at a sequence of No 10 gatherings throughout Covid lockdowns

One possibility being explored is handy Mr Reynolds a senior diplomatic function, presumably at ambassador degree

Mr Reynolds was pictured sitting with the Prime Minister and his then fiancee, Carrie Symonds, at a ‘cheese and wine’ social gathering held within the Downing Avenue backyard on Might 15, 2020. (Above, the PM and his spouse final October)

It has additionally been reported that he despatched an e mail invitation for a separate backyard social gathering 5 days later.

Dominic Cummings, the previous No 10 senior adviser, revealed the social gathering on Friday in a weblog, and claimed he warned colleagues on the time that the gathering broke lockdown guidelines and mustn’t have gone forward.

He mentioned he wrote the warning in an e mail that could possibly be found by senior civil servant Sue Grey, who’s investigating the allegations that events had been held.

On the day of the Might 20 backyard social gathering, Oliver Dowden, then Tradition Secretary, urged the general public to satisfy just one different particular person outdoor and persist with social-distancing guidelines.

Ms Grey changed Cupboard Secretary Simon Case in main the Whitehall investigation after allegations emerged of employees assembly for drinks in his personal workplace in Whitehall. 

In his weblog, Dominic Cummings (above) wrote: ‘On Wednesday 20 Might… a senior No 10 official invited folks to ‘socially distanced drinks’ within the backyard,’ including that he had emailed ‘that this appeared to be in opposition to the foundations and mustn’t occur… [it is] in writing so Sue Grey can dig up the unique e mail’

On the day of the Might 20 backyard social gathering, Oliver Dowden (pictured), then Tradition Secretary, urged the general public to satisfy just one different particular person outdoor and persist with social-distancing guidelines

Mr Johnson has all the time denied information of any rule-breaking. 

A supply mentioned: ‘It had already been determined to maneuver Martin, however the plan in the mean time is to attend till the Grey report – which is certain to be crucial – to assist distract from different individuals who she may criticise.’

The e-mail allegedly despatched by Mr Reynolds inviting folks to a celebration on Might 20 is believed to have been wiped from No 10’s system. 

One supply mentioned it was an invite to a ‘knees-up’, whereas one other mentioned it described an ‘casual get-together’, with officers inspired to ‘convey your individual booze’.

In his weblog, Mr Cummings wrote: ‘On Wednesday 20 Might… a senior No 10 official invited folks to ‘socially distanced drinks’ within the backyard,’ including that he had emailed ‘that this appeared to be in opposition to the foundations and mustn’t occur… [it is] in writing so Sue Grey can dig up the unique e mail’.

Mr Cummings left Downing Avenue in November 2020 after a bitter energy wrestle with Mr Johnson’s future spouse, Carrie.