Downing street party: Cabinet Secretary to be removed from party inquiry after being accused of attending gatherings

Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary chosen by Boris Johnson to lead an internal investigation into whether rules were broken by Downing Street staff last year, has been accused of attending the alleged illegal gatherings in question

Mr Case is alleged to have attended a ‘Christmas drinks’ event with around 15 to 20 members of staff, according to two Whitehall officials who were in attendance.

The Prime Minister had previously asked Mr Case to launch an internal investigation following a public outcry over leaked footage and images alluding to multiple illegal Downing Street gathering while London and the UK remained under strict Covid-19 restrictions.

It has now been announced by Number 10 that the Cabinet Secretary will step down from leading the inquiry to “ensure public confidence”.

Who is Simon Case and what has he allegedly done?

Mr Case is currently the UK’s highest ranking civil servant and serves the UK Government as Cabinet Secretary.

He was chosen by the Prime Minister to lead an internal investigation into claims that Covid rules were broken through illegal gatherings in Downing Street.

Mr Johnson made the announcement that the Cabinet Secretary would be launching the inquiry after public backlash to the claims.

Leaked images showed the Prime Minister allegedly hosting a Christmas quiz, while footage was also leaked of Downing Street staff joking about a “party” which took place in December last year.

However, Mr Case’s position as the investigation’s lead has been brought into question after it was accused that he attended some of the gatherings.

The Cabinet Secretary is accused to have attended two parties for organised ‘Christmas drinks’ in his department during December 202, when Covid rules on indoor mixing were in place.

According to a joint investigation by The Independent and Politico, two Whitehall officials - who were in attendance at the gatherings - claimed that Mr Case was present.

As a result of the allegations, the Prime Minister has been placed under pressure to remove Mr Case from the investigation.

What has been the response to the claims so far?

The Cabinet Office has denied that any organised event took place, saying: “These allegations are categorically untrue.”

However, they also added that it could not be ruled out that civil servants consumed drinks while at their desks.

The allegations have led opposition politicians to call for Mr Case’s removal from the inquiry, with some going further and asking for his resignation.

SNP Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said: “The Prime Minister’s appointed lead investigator into the Downing Street parties has also been reported to have hosted a party in his office – whilst thousands were forced to spend the Christmas season apart as a result of necessary coronavirus restrictions. He, along with his inquiry report, must go.”

Angela Rayner, Labour deputy leader, said: “With each revelation, there is more evidence of a culture of turning a blind eye to the rules. Labour made it clear the person leading the investigation should be uncompromised, free to make an independent judgement. That’s now in serious doubt.”

Number 10 bowed to pressure and it was announced on Friday evening that Mr Case would be stepping down from leading the inquiry.

A spokesperson for Downing Street has said: “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.”

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