'Secret meeting' sparks row between Johnson and Gray

Discussion raises fears of a 'stitch-up' over Partygate report

- ROB MERRICK

Boris Johnson and Sue Gray have clashed over a controversial "secret meeting" between the pair, just days before the publication of Ms Gray's final report into the Partygate scandal. The senior civil servant's team are furious about a No 10 claim that she initiated the get-together and that it focused on whether some of around 300 photos of the lockdown parties should be included in her report.

A spokesperson for the Gray inquiry rejected both suggestions and denied that the meeting was for the report's author "to clarify her intentions" prior to its publication once the police investigation was concluded.

The extraordinary briefing war will increase pressure on Downing Street to explain why the meeting was held at all in relation to an inquiry it has described as "completely independent". Labour has warned that what it calls a "secret meeting" will further damage confidence in the investigation of the scandal, while the Liberal Democrats raised fears of a "stitch-up".

In a partial climbdown, No 10 later appeared to accept that the meeting was instigated by an aide to Mr Johnson - and not by the inquiry head.