As you may know, on the 18th January I wrote a reply to constituents who had written to me about this which you can read here. Someone sent my reply to the local paper and so excerpts of it were published in that as well.
I have the same view now as I did then: I can’t defend parties taking place and am not tempted to try, and I share everyone’s anger about what we have heard. I continue to feel we are all entitled to know who did what, when, why and how, which is what I believe the report by Sue Gray will provide.
I don’t believe that what Sue Gray provided on the 31st January is what anyone expected when we awaited her report. That is not a criticism of her, as it has been caused by the police investigating some of the evidence she has shared with them. I make no criticism of the police either, as it is right that they investigate what has been given to them.
What Sue Gray said in her update about some of the behaviour that has taken place at No 10 is very concerning and I have found it deeply uncomfortable to read some of the newspaper reports since my reply in mid-January. I am not one of the people who thinks we should just ‘move on’, but I continue to think we need the full report to be published come what may, as her update above mentions no names and apportions blame to no individual.
To answer 2 of the common questions, yes, I do think the full Sue Gray report should be published in full (the Prime Minister said yesterday he would publish in full and immediately whatever she gives him) and yes, I do think we should be told if the Prime Minister is issued with a fine.
I continue to regularly share the views of constituents like you and the damage this whole episode is doing with my colleagues.
