According to Grant Shapps, Boris Johnson ‘didn’t party’ in new pictures showing him ‘toasting’ as he quit his job. Political news

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Boris Johnson “didn’t party” in newly released photos showing him drinking with colleagues while locking the door.

Mr Shapps told Sky News’ Kay Burley that the prime minister attended the event later in the day to “toast” a staff member who was about to leave.

Pictures of a gathering in November 2020 to mark the departure of then-Prime Minister of Communications Lee Cain.

Live politics: Boris Johnson suggests Sue Gray drop partying reports – source

Police investigating the Downing Street blockade breach issued fines to a number of people who attended that event – but not Mr Johnson, who received only a fixed fine, in connection with an incident. separate event.

Mr Shapps told Sky News: “The question is, is he partying down there? No, obviously not – he went over to say thank you and toast to a colleague who was about to leave. Go.”

“The police spent a lot of time with a lot of people and a lot of resources gathering data and they came to a conclusion – because we know he was not fined for that event.”

But Mr Shapps was also pressed about the prime minister’s assurances to parliament by the end of 2020, when asked about the meeting, that he was sure that “guidelines have been followed and the rules are followed at all times. “.

The Minister of Transport said that the Prime Minister’s ministerial red boxes could be seen.

“I looked like he came down on his way out of the office and thanked the staff and raised a toast and in his head he didn’t realize it was a party.”

Mr Shapps was also pressed about the controversies surrounding the Prime Minister’s meeting with senior civil servant Sue Grey, details of which were first reported by Sky News last week – ahead of the expected publication this week. for her full report on the lawsuit.

A source told Sky News that during the meeting Mr Johnson hinted Mrs Gray should consider canceling the report – questioning what was left to say since the police investigation was over – although this is disputed by his allies. The statement was first reported by The Times.

Mr Shapps said he was not present at the meeting, which he said was to arrange “time and logistics” but said that “sometimes things are reported not completely accurate”.