The Labour Party is considering redacting the names of alleged abusers from a report into allegations of sexual misconduct during its 2015 leadership contest. The party fears that identifying individuals will only increase the number
of victims coming forward with accusations against MPs.,
While MPs await Sue Gray’s report, Boris Johnson is battling for his political career. (Photo courtesy of PA/Reuters)
According to sources, the much-anticipated report on the ‘partygate’ probe may remove names and important facts to protect government officials.
Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, has been investigating accusations of parties and drinking sessions in Downing Street and other parts of Whitehall during the lockdown.
Boris Johnson has been battling for his political future since confessing to attending a drunken party in May 2020, while insisting it was a ‘business function.’
In light of a fresh police inquiry, the Cabinet Office’s independent investigation was being modified yesterday night, prompting concerns that names and information would be taken out of the report.
Government personnel should not be ‘hung out to dry’ because they attended a party, according to civil service unions.
However, the Labour Party has cautioned that until all of the material obtained is made public, “it will reeks of another Downing Street cover-up.”
The conclusions would be made public in full, according to the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson, as long as there was a ‘assurance’ that the specifics would not obstruct the police investigation.
Since confessing to attending a drunken event at No 10 during lockdown in May 2020, the Prime Minister has received demands to resign. (Photo courtesy of PA)
‘We don’t want public employees to be hung out to dry on this,’ Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, a trade union representing government officials, told the Telegraph. If HR measures are taken, individuals must get adequate assistance, including from their union.
‘I really hope that the Civil Service does not suffer as a consequence of this.’ The Civil Service is led by the Prime Minister. He should have been setting an example for the rest of us.’
There have been concerns voiced about the pandemonium that may ensue if the report is leaked before top HR officials have been informed of any potential sackings as a consequence of its release.
According to one insider, it is ‘clear’ that individuals will be fired or penalized, so management must be prepared ‘from a legal standpoint.’
Ms Gray had warned from the start that if the police initiated their own investigation, she could have to suspend her own.
According to Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, the Prime Minister has “ran out of road.” (Photo courtesy of PA)
There have been concerns that the redaction of names in Sue Gray’s report may seem to be a ‘cover-up.’ (Photo courtesy of AP)
When the Metropolitan Police launched its investigation on Tuesday, this led to speculation that the report might be delayed.
According to Scotland Yard insiders, the Met’s commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, was expecting Ms Gray to provide her findings the same day.
The police has ‘not indicated they cannot publish their report,’ according to one source, but the picture behind the scenes might be a little more complicated, as another source said that it would be ‘prudent to withhold certain details.’
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: ‘This report must be released in its entirety, with all supporting material, or it will smell like another Downing Street cover-up.’ They tend to misplace phones, WhatsApp messages, and meeting minutes on a regular basis.’
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Johnson has ‘run out of road,’ she claimed, and ‘can’t kick this into the tall grass any longer.’
Sources close to the investigative team anticipate the report to be published in its entirety when it is released, but Johnson will ultimately decide.
‘It is merely a reflection of the fact that we have not received the results and do not know its format, which is why it remains our aim to publish it as received,’ said the PM’s official spokesperson.
If Johnson refuses to disclose the entire Gray report, Labour may resort to legislative processes to compel its release.
This might take the shape of a “humble address,” which is essentially a communication to the Queen requesting that documents be published.
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