Page:Sue Gray Report.pdf/3

 FINDINGS OF SECOND PERMANENT SECRETARY'S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED GATHERINGS: REPORT

On 8 December 2021 the Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Secretary to carry out an investigation into allegations reported in the media relating to gatherings in No 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education during November and December 2020. On 17 December 2021 the Cabinet Secretary recused himself from the investigation as a result of allegations concerning an online quiz held by his private office in the Cabinet Office on 17 December 2020 in 70 Whitehall. It was at this point that I was asked to lead this work. The terms of reference for the investigation were published on 9 December 2021. The primary purpose of the investigation was to establish a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings including: attendance; the setting; and the purpose, with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time. On 31 January 2022 I published an update (appended to this report and including the detailed terms of reference and the timeline of regulations) which set out the methodology of the investigation; the 16 gatherings within its scope; and a number of limited, general findings. It also confirmed that the Metropolitan Police Service had decided to investigate events on the following dates: 20 May 2020: a gathering in the garden of No 10 Downing Street for No 10 staff; 18 June 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall on the departure of a No 10 official; 19 June 2020: a gathering in the Cabinet room in No 10 Downing Street on the Prime Minister s birthday; 13 November 2020: a gathering in the No 10 Downing Street flat; 13 November 2020: a gathering in No 10 Downing Street on the departure of a special adviser; 17 December 2020: a gathering in Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall to hold an online Christmas quiz for the Cabinet Secretary s private office; 1