civil servants and special advisers reacted with fury and disbelief after Scotland Yard confirmed that Boris Johnson received only one of 126 fines imposed for delinquents at the heart of Downing Street and Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police came under intense pressure to explain how he came to his conclusions after Downing Street said officers had confirmed that no further action would be taken. against in prime minister despite the fact that he attends meetings for that others were fined.
A four-month £460,000 investigation by the Met has concluded. way for publication of a full report senior civil servant Sue Gray next week. Her preliminary report found “failures of leadership and judgment of different parts of No. 10 and the Cabinet of Ministers.
BUT former Met chief said force was open to allegations that she failed the investigation, unless she took steps explain yourself.
Brian Paddick, now a fellow Liberal Democrat, said: “The Met cannot defend the charge that it gave prime minister one fixed-penalty notice (FPN) as that was the minimum he could have fined but didn’t for Other events for political motives,” he said.
” decision don’t explain it mistake. This was mistake do not investigate in in first place. They said no need investigate, and then issued 126 fines, which is not good for their credibility.”
126 fines were issued 83 people – 35 men and 48 women – with at least one the man who received five FPNs, the Met said. Fines, typically £50, are covered events held on eight separate dates.
Officials who were among those fined struggling understand how Johnson could have avoided further censure. He, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak received one fine each for celebration prime minister birthday in June 2020 when indoor meetings other than for work purposes were prohibited.
One Whitehall source pointed out out that junior civil servants received NIT for going at least one event which prime minister not only attended, but also delivered a speech in Another said, “I feel sorry for twenty-somethings for – who went to events it was their elders’ street parties and all that.
BUT former Employee #10 said this was common during the Covid pandemic for johnson wander over officials drinking and praising them for “change off steam”.
One official another source said of resentment was fact presented evidence in good Gray’s faith was handed over to the police by junior officials, and more senior numbers declined cooperate.
“Some people I’m worried they’re done up were punished because, even before the intervention of the police, they had tried help with report when others who stood back maybe gone with This is.”
There is discontent in the government secretarySimon Case, who was described one Whitehall Insider as “submarine” who did not offer leadership or counsel throughout the crisis. “People trusted their bosses and they were fined, you would think that someone might recognize that at some stage,” they said.
Some officials consider the case should have a shoulder of guilt for a culture that developed in No. 10 during self-isolation – and as the most senior civil servant, should said up for junior employees caught up in request.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Avenue union representing civil servants, said: “The scale of these violations of the law is clearly symptomatic of deeply damaged culture in the heart of Downing Street. Ministers in This government too quick to blame officials when they who are responsible for taking lead when it comes to creating that culture.”
Government officials contacted on Wednesday in the office official keeping in touch with Met, who acknowledged that it was a “challenging time” and warned that “small amount” of 126 fines remain be published in coming days.
Johnson is not expected give his own response to completion of Met investigation until Gray publishes it full report.
Officials say it remains possible in final the report may include photographs used as evidence, but they are unlikely to of sides in progress or show faces.
BUT decision also not yet made on to name all the persons involved in this, although if this happened, it would only be for people in senior estimates.
The source said that the report, which was updated before sending to lawyers, would be sober in tone: “I don’t think there will be any obscene details that have not been heard before. It will be pretty dry set out facts and people may rate them as they choose.”
conservative supporters who formerly called for Johnson’s removal is spoken next a week will be a moment of truth for colleagues who refrained from judging his fate. “If Gray’s report is published next week, they’re going run out of road and they have to do decision”.
Meanwhile the Metropolitan face additional questions about handling it of investigation, said Len Duvall, leader of Work group on London Assembly. “I think the police and crime committee will want ask questions and understand how The Metropolitan came to its conclusions about prime minister only receive one good,” he said.
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“I think from information in in public domain, he [Johnson] got off easy. This for police to explain why just one Great.”
Acting Met Deputy Commissioner Helen Ball said the fines had been issued. for violations after detectives searched more than 500 photos plus emails, CCTV and door logs to see who was where and when.
“Our view that these 126 referrals clear-cut. We made sure after a really thorough investigation that clear evidence existed of breach,” she said.
