Initial findings from Sue
Gray’s investigation into the breach of lockdown protocols have been made public. The
officer said 12 events are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. There are a
total of 16 events. The remaining events are yet to be investigated. Her report
was deemed to be crucial in deciding United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson future as the
allegation of weeks of parties in Downing Street has now been established with
evidence.

Also Read: Boris Johnson apologizes after Gray report comes out

The BBC termed Sue Gray
“the most powerful person you’ve never heard of”. The civil servant
holds the position of second permanent secretary at the Department for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Here are her findings:

All the events had taken
place between May 2020 and April 2021.

Also Read: Boris Johnson receives Gray ‘partygate’ report, but questions remain

All of them had taken place
in No 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office, apart from one in the Department
for Education.

The investigation also found
drinks in the Downing Street garden attended by the PM on 20 May 2020.

Out of 16 events, four are
subject to police inquiries including a birthday celebration for Boris Johnson
in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020. 

Also Read: UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated

The investigation team considered the
remaining four events did not reach “the threshold for criminal
investigation”

What are Sue Gray’s
observations into the ‘partygate’ scandal investigation report?

“Against the backdrop
of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching
restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings
is difficult to justify.”

“At least some of the
gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just the high
standards expected of those working at the heart of government but also of the
standards expected of the entire British population at the time.”

Also Read: Has rule-breaker Boris Johnson met his match in ‘partygate’?

“At times it seems
there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in
considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they
presented to public health and how they might appear to the public.”

“There were failures of
leadership and judgement by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at
different times. Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place.
Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did.”

Also Read: Boris Johnson’s baby Romy was ‘badly hit’ by COVID, now ‘on the mend’

“The excessive
consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any
time. Steps must be taken to ensure that every government department has a
clear and robust policy in place covering the consumption of alcohol in the
workplace.”

“The use of the garden
at No 10 Downing Street should be primarily for the prime minister and the
private residents of No 10 and No 11 Downing Street during the pandemic it was
often used as an extension of the workplace as a more Covid-secure means of
holding group meetings in a ventilated space. This was a sensible measure that
staff appreciated, but the garden was also used for gatherings without clear authorisation
or oversight. This was not appropriate. Any official access to the space,
including for meetings, should be by invitation only and in a controlled
environment.”

Also Read: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing easing of COVID restrictions

“Some staff wanted to
raise concerns about behaviours they witnessed at work but at times felt unable
to do so. No member of staff should feel unable to report or challenge poor
conduct where they witness it. There should be easier ways for staff to raise
such concerns informally, outside of the line management chain.”

Also Read: UK’s Boris Johnson faces Parliament as ouster bid gathers steam

“The leadership structures
[in Downing Street] are fragmented and complicated and this has sometimes led
to the blurring of lines of accountability. Too much responsibility and
expectation is placed on the senior official whose principal function is the
direct support of the prime minister. This should be addressed as a matter of
priority.”