News
Kate Plummer
Jan 14, 2022
On Thursday night, The Telegraph broke the news that two more parties reportedly happened in Downing Street while the rest of the public, simply put, were not allowed to have parties.
The publication revealed the parties took place for two members of staff who were leaving, the day before Prince Philip’s socially distanced funeral, and that staff were sent to the shops to pick up booze in suitcases, music was played and someone even broke poor Wilf Johnson’s swing.
As one, the nation rolled its eyes, incredulous that ongoing ‘partygate’ was creating yet another hangover with the list of events to investigate growing and growing.
Meanwhile, James Slack - a member of staff who one of the parties was held for apologised, while a spokesman for the Prime Minister said Downing Street had said sorry to the Palace following the reports.
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And after people read the details, thoughts turned to Sue Gray, the senior civil servant charged with investigating all these parties, and people thought she must be pretty exhausted indeed:
Sue Gray rn https://t.co/cGeF8ZJ04s— george griffiths (@george griffiths) 1642111360
I do find myself wondering whether Sue Gray really is conducting an enquiry, or is reduced to wandering from room t… https://t.co/x1L4GVojBr— Jay Rayner (@Jay Rayner) 1642154491
Poor Sue Gray (our arbiter of all moral, ethical and legal issues now and forever) is not gonna get much of a weeke… https://t.co/zhGzT6o7xJ— Kate Plummer (@Kate Plummer) 1642112580
Sue Gray is gonna need a spa day at the end of this.— Erron Gordon (@Erron Gordon) 1642111716
Sue Gray pours herself a fishbowl of wine.— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1642110330
Sue Gray as more and more parties get reported https://t.co/OPURdgEhdu— Dan Ellis (@Dan Ellis) 1642112907
It’s literally the job of the police to investigate for evidence of criminality. Sue Gray isn’t a one-woman crime squad. She’s not batwoman.— Sam Bright (@Sam Bright) 1642095577
we're gonna need a bigger sue gray— joe (@joe) 1642110766
Sue Gray, sighing, adds another column to her excel document— Alan White (@Alan White) 1642110902
Sue Gray trying to finish her report https://t.co/mmrKjsN00P— Jono (@Jono) 1642112194
Sue Gray tonight https://t.co/7LjakUF5Xd— Declan Cashin (@Declan Cashin) 1642110583
Sue Gray's inquiry shaping up nicely https://t.co/oY0iOdhgDu— Calgie (@Calgie) 1642112979
Sue Gray is gonna be fucking shattered.— Benjamin Butterworth (@Benjamin Butterworth) 1642111000
Gray indeed has a lot on her shoulders. The Metropolitan Police have said they will not investigate any of the Downing Street parties unless and until the Sue Gray inquiry finds evidence of criminality. Every time a journalist tries to get a loyal Tory MP or minister to comment on the matter they have repeated the refrain “we’re waiting for Sue Gray to finish the inquiry”.
The Times also reports it is expected that Gray will conclude that the parties were “not criminal” which is causing some people to raise their eyebrows.
“Johnson’s allies are increasingly confident that he can survive the report, which is due to be published at the en… https://t.co/VvJyaUAF7p— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1642115318
And commenting on the stories, a Downing Street spokesperson said:
“On this individual’s last day he gave a farewell speech to thank each team for the work they had done to support him, both those who had to be in the office for work and on a screen for those working from home.”
Poor Gray. Let’s just hope she has a nice day off planned once this all blows over.
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