Boris Johnson could become the first Prime Minister ever to be interviewed under police caution as the Partygate scandal continues to grow — while Sue Gray’s civil service report into alleged lockdown-breaking No 10 parties could be released as soon as today

Boris Johnson could become the first Prime Minister ever to be interviewed under police caution as the Partygate scandal continues to grow — while Sue Gray’s civil service report into alleged lockdown-breaking No 10 parties could be released as soon as today.

The civil service inquisitor is understood to have told Number 10 that she expects her findings to be released in full within ‘hours’ of them being handed to Downing Street, reported .

The PM’s office had not received them early this morning, but their delivery is understood to be imminent and could see the report released to the public after PMQs this afternoon.

Sky News last night claimed that she had been handed photographs of Boris Johnson next to wine bottles at an alleged lockdown breaking party, and has identified eight parties that breached the rules.

The FT said the final report was likely to list Ms Gray’s conclusions but that it would not include a ‘significant amount of evidence’ from interviews, such as photos or messages.

Many Tory MPs are awaiting the findings before deciding whether to submit letters of no confidence in Johnson that could topple him as prime minister and trigger a Tory leadership contest.

But potentially more serious for the PM is Scotland Yard’s criminal investigation into the parties which was announced yesterday.

Police sources told that it was ‘inevitable’ that the PM would have to speak to detectives, making him the second sitting Prime Minister to be interviewed after Tony Blair was quizzed over the cash-for-honours scandal 15 years ago.

However Blair was interviewed as a witness — and no sitting Prime Minister has ever been interviewed under caution which requires officers to read them their rights before the questions begin. 

The final report, Universitas Alma Ata which could name senior political figures and civil servants, was likely to list Ms Gray’s conclusions but would not include a ‘significant amount of evidence’ from interviews, such as photos or messages, reports the FT.  

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s allies looked to defend their under-fire leader, with one Cabinet minister arguing ousting Mr Johnson would inevitably lead to a general election.

Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns defended Mr Johnson’s presence at a surprise birthday bash in the Cabinet room on June 19 2020 when social events indoors were banned, saying he had been ‘ambushed with a cake’. 

And Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said last night the ‘sooner the report comes out now the better’, adding: ‘We can’t sit under this cloud, paralysing the Prime Minister, paralysing the Government.’

Referencing the threat of Russian invasion into Ukraine, he continued: ‘These issues that are hanging over our Government at the moment, they need to be dealt with as soon as possible and I do hope that Sue Gray gets her report in tonight and it is published tomorrow.’

It is not clear whether Mr Johnson was personally involved in any of the the incidents under criminal investigation. The offences carry £100 fixed penalty fines. 

The PM’s official spokesman signalled that Mr Johnson would be willing to speak to those at Scotland Yard investigating the alleged breaches of coronavirus rules over the past two years.

However, he said Mr Johnson believes he has not broken the law.

The chaos erupted on Tuesday after it was revealed that a birthday party, complete with cake and singing, was held for Mr Johnson in No10 in June 2020. 

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, one of those tipped to succeed Mr Johnson should he resign over the partygate affair, is due to face broadcasters on Wednesday morning when she is likely to field a flurry of questions about the Partygate report and the police investigation.

The PM faces the most dangerous 24 hours of his premiership as:

• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors, the senior police officer leading the investigation into parties at Downing Street, is revealed to have been embroiled in a row over the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil;
• Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg says the modern precedent was for a new incumbent in Downing Street to go to the polls to seek a fresh mandate; 
• Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns defends Mr Johnson’s presence at a surprise birthday bash in the Cabinet room on June 19, 2020, saying he had been ‘ambushed with a cake’; 
• Sajid Javid suggests that controversial plans to force all NHS staff in England to get jabbed are ‘under review’, saying unvaccinated workers pose less of a threat due to Omicron being less severe;
• Britons who share the same birthday as Boris reveal how they were forced to spend their day alone as the PM enjoyed a ‘party’ in No10 in June 2020;
• Officials reportedly hand over to investigators photos of parties in Downing Street which include images of Mr Johnson and people close together with wine bottles;  
• The PM’s official spokesman signals that Mr Johnson would be willing to speak to those at Scotland Yard investigating the alleged breaches of coronavirus rules over the past two years.

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