Boris Johnson news – live: Labour denies Sue Gray appointment a ‘distraction’ from Partygate inquiry

Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds says she is “delighted” Sue Gray has joined Labour and that the right procedures will be followed

Boris Johnson ‘believed implicitly’ Downing Street parties were ‘within the rules’

Hiring Sue Gray to work as Keir Starmer’s next chief of staff is not a “distraction” said Labour’s chairwoman, Anneliese Dodds, responding to criticism of the appointment.

In an interview with Sky News Ms Dodds hit back at criticism that by hiring Sue Gray Labour was needlessly causing controversy and undermining confidence in civil service neutrality.

Ms Dodds said: “Sue Gray is a person of enormous integrity. Someone who served in the civil service under ministers of a number of parties actually, someone who’s always served with that integrity.”

She added: “I’m really delighted she’s joining the Labour team at that point where we’re readying ourselves for government if the British public backs us at the next general election.

“What’s important to us as Labour, as ever, is that we see the same rules and approaches being applied to this, as she would see with any other appointment. That’s why the civil service procedures on confidentiality will be followed.”

However, the appointment has provoked widespread outrage in the Convservative Party with some MPs saying it raises question about the impartiality of her report on Partygate that contributed to Boris Johnson’s resignation.

Key Points

• ‘Great gaping hole’ in PM’s account, aide admits
• Key lines from report
• Sue Gray report unreliable, claims Johnson ally Nadine Dorries

[3 March 2023 13:34 · Jane Dalton]

Welcome to our live coverage of a new report from an inquiry into whether former prime minister Boris Johnson lied to parliament over the Partygate scandal.