MURKIER BY THE MINUTE

Sturgeon hits out at partýgate shambles as poliće tell Sue Gray not to reveal details

- TORCUIL CRICHTON

NICOLA Sturgeon claims the row over the publication of the Sue Gray report into the Downing St partygate scandal is getting "murkier by the minute".

The SNP leader waded into the scandal engulfing Boris Johnson's premiership as the Met Police intervened to prevent details of lockdown events at Downing Street being published in the senior civil servant's report.

The partygate saga took a twist yesterday when Scotland Yard made a request that Sue Gray make "minimal reference" to the parties they are investigating when she hands over her report.

It provoked a backlash and threw commitments to publish the report swiftly and in full into disarray. Opponents pointed out the move by the police effectively kicked the report into the long grass, buying more time for Johnson to quell the dissent in Tory ranks that threatens his leadership.

Sturgeon said the wrangling was creating “suspicion” that the process was helping the PM escape accountability.