An ex Metropolitan Police big whig has claimed Sue Gray’s investigation into lockdown-busting parties at Downing Street is ‘no different’ to a human resources report.
Former Metropolitan chief superintendent Dal Babu suggested that the report – which many believe the Prime Minister’s premiership hinges on – has ‘no standing’.
The report is still yet to be published and has led to the civil servant passing information on the London police force, which has now decided to investigate the various incidents at Number 10, following months of pressure.
Mr Babu says he is concerned about the delay over a police investigation, suggesting the process should be relatively easy.
The penalty for breaching lockdown rules is a fixed penalty notice, which Mr Babu branded an ‘entry-level crime’, which he believes is as ‘simple as they can get’ in terms of police investigations.
He told Sky News: ‘I think the issue around the delay is worrying. I’m not entirely sure why there’s a delay.
‘I do investigations into matters since I’ve left the police and when I investigate matters… as soon as there’s any suggestion of criminality, you would then stand back and allow the police to have priority.’
Mr Babu went on: ‘Sue Gray’s report has no standing. She’s a very eminent person, very able, but, in essence, it’s just a report.
‘It is not a judge-led inquiry, she doesn’t have any specific powers to call people to give evidence. So her report will be no different to a human resources report.’
There are still question marks about whether the partygate report will be published in full but many in Westminster believe it will be more damaging than first anticipated by Downing Street.
That is despite Ms Gray answering to Mr Johnson, who is her boss.
Many Tory MPs are awaiting the publication before deciding whether to write letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson – potentially sparking a vote on his leadership if 54 do so.
Earlier on Thursday, the report was yet to be submitted to No 10, with legal and human resources officials scrutinising it before it can be sent to Downing Street for publication.
Cabinet minister Therese Coffey said she did not know why the report was taking so long to produce.
‘I know the Government has committed to publishing the full findings of the report but the timing I have absolutely know idea about,’ she told Sky News.
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