Andrea Leadsom's statement on the Sue Gray report (possibly only sent out to those who have contacted her on the matter). It doesn't start out very promising, but does sound more hopeful as she goes on.
I really hope she takes a clear stance against Johnson, otherwise her words are hollow and meaningless.
Statement to South Northamptonshire residents on Sue Gray Report
30 May 2022
Sue Gray’s report into alleged gatherings on Government premises during Covid restrictions has now been published, and you can read it in full here:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/findings-of-the-second-permanent-secretarys-investigation-into-alleged-gatherings-on-government-premises-during-covid-restrictions
I think that the Prime Minister was right to commission Sue Gray to carry out her investigation which led to this report. It is clear that he was personally shocked by its findings, and it was right that he humbly apologised to the nation and to all those who lost loved ones. He also apologised to support staff in No 10 and the Cabinet Office who were treated disrespectfully by certain staff, whose behaviour was particularly abhorrent and unacceptable.
I note that the thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police concluded that rule breaking by the Prime Minister personally was limited to a surprise birthday party organised for him. This confirms the Prime Minister’s statement that he was not personally involved in any lockdown breaches. I have every confidence in our police and am grateful to them for their integrity and professionalism in carrying out such a high profile investigation.
On studying the report carefully, however, it is painfully clear to me that given the extent and severity of rule breaking taking place over a 20 month period, it is extremely unlikely that senior leaders were unaware of what was going on. I therefore agree with Sue Gray’s conclusions that there have been significant failures of leadership, both political and official, in No 10 and the Cabinet Office.
I believe in the importance of high standards of integrity, and that Members of Parliament must strive to be good role models, very specifically because we are the lawmakers and therefore in a trusted position of power and authority. I am determined to be clear about my views as a matter of personal integrity – the conclusion I have drawn from the Sue Gray report is that there have been unacceptable failings of leadership that cannot be tolerated and are the responsibility of the Prime Minister.
Each of my Conservative MP colleagues and I must now decide individually on what is the right course of action that will restore confidence in our government.