Dominic Cummings claims ‘incriminating’ photos of Boris Johnson at parties are under police investigation

Boris Johnson’s former chief aide Dominic Cummings has claimed that Metropolitan Police have been handed images of Boris Johnson at alleged gatherings as part of their investigation into rule-breaking parties.

Mr Cummings made the claim during a question and answer session on his blog this evening, after being asked if there were any photographs from the alleged gathering which would “incriminate” Mr Johnson.

The claim comes after senior civil servant Sue Gray publish her limited findings on the reports of multiple gatherings held while lockdown or Covid rules were in place and confirmed that 12 incident were currently under investigation by police.

The Met Police have since confirmed that they have received a large amount of photographs and documents, which was gathered as evidence in Ms Gray’s report, to assist in their investigation.

At a glance: 5 key points

• Dominic Cumming has alleged that police officers have been handed photographs of Boris Johnson at gatherings held during lockdown as part of their investigation
• The former aide of the Prime Minister said that the pictures could “incriminate” Mr Johnson and allegedly show him attending parties within the Number 10 flat
• Mr Cummings claims come after it was confirmed in Sue Gray’s report that 12 incidents were currently under investigation by police
• The Met Police have said that they have gathered more than 300 photographs and 500 pages of evidence from Ms Gray’s investigation which allegedly show proof of illegal gatherings
• Ms Gray released limited initial findings from the report yesterday (31 January), where she stated that there had been “failures of leadership and judgment” by parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office in allowing the gatherings to go ahead

What did Dominic Cummings say about the photographs of Boris Johnson?

During a question and answer session relating to the ‘partygate’ scandal, Mr Cummings made the claim that “incriminating” photographs of Mr Johnson at a party in the Number 10 flat during lockdown have been handed to the police.

When asked if there was any evidence which would “incriminate” the Prime Minister in the Met Police’s investigation, Mr Cummings replied: “Yes there are photos of the PM at parties under investigation.

“I’ve spoken to people who say they’ve seen photos of parties in the flat.”

He also claimed that he had spoken directly to witnesses of a gathering which allegedly took place on 13 November 202, adding: “I’ve talked to people who were in No 10 on 13/11 who [could] hear the party in No 10 after I’d left – the press office is below the flat.

“If cops talk to people there that night, there’ll be witnsesses (sic) who say ‘we could all hear a party with abba playing’.”

Mr Cummings reiterated his claim that Mr Johnson is lying to MPs and the public about the gatherings.

He blasted his former boss by saying: “This could blow up terminally for him if lies to the cops but he won’t be able to help himself other than say ‘I don’t remember’ which is his default when he senses danger.”

What else did Dominic Cummings say?

Mr Cummings was also quizzed on his faith in Mr Johnson continuing in the role of Prime Minister.

While he was enthusiastic in his call to see Mr Johnson leave the post, he said that “at this point the blame lies mostly with the Tory MPs” who have not challenged his leadership.

He added: “He’s obviously totally unfit for the job and every day he’s left their moral authority drops another notch.”

“There’s lots of blame to go around beyond them, including people in No 10 who have also shown a distinct lack of moral courage…”

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