John McDonnell asks Simon Case why he hasn’t initiated probe into claims Boris tried appointing Carrie to a Foreign Office job:
Simon Case: “Any investigation under the ministerial code can only be authorised by the PM”.
William Wragg: “Is he not keen?”
The Metropolitan Police are reportedly not fining Cabinet Secretary Simon Case over Partygate, according to officials close to the investigation. No fines for Boris, Carrie, or Case after all…
🚨 Confirmed (first reported via @MrHarryCole): cabinet secretary Simon Case will step back as head of the Whitehall inquiry into lockdown busting Christmas parties last year.
— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) December 17, 2021
Statement from No10 on who will replace him due this evening.
An especially odd move given the initial outright Cabinet Office denial, followed by a qualifier that it was just a one-hour quiz. All in a day’s work…
UPDATE: No. 10 statement in full:
“To ensure the ongoing investigation retains public confidence the Cabinet Secretary has recused himself for the remainder of the process.
“The work will be concluded by Sue Gray, second permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
“She will ascertain the facts and present her findings to the Prime Minister.”
ICYMI: Cabinet Secretary’s Office Hosted Christmas Parties Last December
