Inside Politics: No 10 staff told to ‘clean up’ phones as PM urged to fess up on partygate

Boris Johnson’s silence on the latest partygate report means it is pretty much the only story in town this morning and once again splashes the vast majority of papers and news websites, which make dire reading for a prime minister who is now undoubtedly facing his most difficult and dangerous period in office. So far, the line from No 10 has been that the PM will not comment while an investigation into the parties takes place, leading some observers to joke that it must have been a hell of a shindig if he isn’t sure whether or not he was there. As public anger grows and discontent continues to foment on the Tory backbenches (which were notably empty yesterday as Michael Ellis, the paymaster general, was sent out to defend the seemingly indefensible) that line will surely not hold much longer. If those in No 10 needed a reminder of the deep hurt these stories are causing, then they needed to look no further than one of their colleagues. Jim Shannon, the DUP MP for Strangford, broke down in tears in the Commons chamber yesterday while recalling the passing of his mother-in-law, who died alone. Reports say the PM will make a public statement before PMQs later, where it is expected Keir Starmer, recovered from Covid, will set out the charges against him.

All eyes are on PMQs today as the PM is grilled on party reports. Before that there are women and equalities questions and any urgent questions. Main business is the report and third reading stages of the Commercial Rents (Coronavirus) Bill

Coming up:

– No minister has been put forward for the broadcast round this morning

– Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner on BBC Radio 4 Today at 8.10am

Daily Briefing

CLEAN UP JOB?: Downing Street is facing fresh questions about the integrity of the investigation into the alleged parties and the disciplinary process that might follow it. First, staff were advised to “clean up” their mobile phones by removing information that could suggest lockdown-busting bashes had been held in No 10, The Independent has been told. Two sources claim a senior member of staff told them it would be a “good idea” to remove any messages implying they had attended or were even aware of anything that could “look like a party”. Sources said the request was made early last month after the first reports emerged. Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said it raised “yet more questions for a prime minister who seems to have no answers”. No 10’s response? A spokesperson said they did not recognise the claims and pointed to a previous report saying staff were given “clear guidance to retain any relevant information”. Live politics updates throughout the day here.

STILL ON THE CASE: The second concern involves the role of Simon Case, the cabinet secretary and the UK’s most senior civil servant. Despite Case having to recuse himself from the party probe last month after it emerged a bash took in his own office, The Independent understands he will still oversee any civil service-related disciplinary action once it has concluded. Sue Gray took over the inquiry after Case stepped back and she is expected to focus on establishing the facts, leaving it to the PM to determine any consequences for his own position and political staff, while Case is in charge of the fallout for the civil service. As head of he civil service case is also the manager of Martin Reynolds, the senior aide who emailed staff about a “bring your own booze” gathering in the garden of No 10.

PRESSURE MOUNTS: Perhaps the most striking front page of the day is that of the Johnson-supporting Daily Telegraph, which splashes on a picture of Ellis responding to Labour’s urgent question on the party reports. The paymaster general cuts a lonely figure, with just four Tory MPs seen on the green benches behind him while the places at the front usually reserved for ministers and secretaries of state are empty. There is palpable anger among Conservative MPs, many of whom are urging the PM to come clean, apologise and draw a line under the affair. Douglass Ross, Tory leader in Scotland, has gone a step further by once again repeating calls for Johnson to resign if it is found that he broke lockdown rules. Expressing disbelief at Johnson’s reluctance to say whether he attended the party, Ross said: “I’m furious, people across Scotland and across the United Kingdom are furious. If he has breached his own guidance, if he has not been truthful, then that is an extremely important issue. And I’ve said previously, if the prime minister has misled parliament, then he must resign.”

RED WALL ANGER: Many red wall Tories have joined the opposition in demanding that the PM explains fully what happened. “If he is found to have attended this gathering, as they call it, he has no option but to resign,” Alan Marshall, a cabinet member with Darlington council, told The Independent. “I stress that caveat: ‘if’. But if he went [to the party], absolutely he has to go. Being prime minister does not put you above the rules or the law.”

MOTION DEFEATED: Hundreds of Tory MPs voted against a Labour motion yesterday which sought to force a VAT cut on energy bills to help families amid a looming cost of living crisis. MPs voted by 319 to 229 — a majority of 90 — against the proposal, with Anne Marie Morris the only Conservative MP to rebel and support the measure. According to the Politico website she has since had the whip removed, with a government insider telling the publication: “This motion was clearly put forward to seize control of parliament business, which we cannot accept.”

“His absence speaks volumes, as do his smirks on the media. The public have already drawn their own conclusions. He can run but he can’t hide.”

Labour deputy Angela Rayner on PM’s no show in Commons.

“I’m sorry. It’s humiliating, and does not reflect the majority of my colleagues who *at least try* and lead by example. Thank you for your sacrifice and your wife’s work. I will always represent you above all else.

Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer when asked what his message to his constituents is over party reports.

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