Mr Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘No way’ Sue Gray allowed herself to be influenced by anyone on the report. Political news

Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi said he did not know who had requested a meeting between the prime minister and Sue Gray over her party report, but was convinced there was “no way” she would allow herself to be influenced by anyone. anyone.

Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge program on Sunday, the Cabinet Secretary also confirmed Boris Johnson would not interfere in the independent investigation, which is expected to release the results of the investigation next week.

He said the process was “absolutely robust and rigorous”, pointing out that the senior civil servant had not “pulled her punches” in her previous limited reporting on lock-out parties in Downing Street, where criticized “failures of leadership and judgment”.

Pressure is growing on the number 10 to explain the meeting between Ms Grey and the Prime Minister, as revealed by Sky News.

It is understood the couple met at least once to update on the progress of the document while it was being drafted, but a Whitehall source said its contents were not discussed at any time. which point.

Opponents have demanded an explanation of the “secret meeting”, while a brief war has been sparked after sources initially suggested Mrs Gray had started the meeting.

Her spokesman intervened to deny this, which led to Number 10 clarifying that it was not personally requested by the Prime Minister, although it is undisputed that the suggestion came from a Street official. Downing.

Frustrated about Ridge, Mr. Zahawi said: “I don’t know who called the meeting.

“What I do know is that the prime minister does not and will never interfere in an independent investigation.”

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He added: “Let’s not create an atmosphere of doubt around this process, which is already completely forceful and rigorous.

“I have no doubts about Sue Gray’s professionalism and integrity.

“There’s no way she would allow herself to be influenced by anyone.”

Mr Zahawi continued: “I didn’t know what the report was, no one knew until Sue Gray decided to publish it.

“It was the right thing to do because actually she did this, and did it the right way.

“She didn’t punch the first report and I’m sure she wouldn’t punch the second… if I had known Sue Grey, she would have provided that report independently.”

Labour’s shadow treasury secretary Pat McFadden told Ridge: “I have so much confidence in Sue Gray’s integrity and she is a public servant of the highest integrity, we don’t know the details of the meeting. There, it’s not clear who called it, there are different accounts of that, so it’s hard for me to say what was said there.

“I really trust her integrity and let’s see what she has to say when the report comes out.”

On Thursday, The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they have concluded their investigation into lock-down parties in Downing Street and Whitehall, and issued 126 fines to 83 people.

The conclusion of the police investigation cleared the way for Ms. Gray’s report on the parties to be released in full.