Johnson braces for Gray report as No 10 'wine-time Fridays' accusation emerges

Boris Johnson condoned parties after 'grabbing a glass for himself', insiders say

- ANDREW WOODCOCK

Fresh claims of chaotic lockdown parties and all-night drinking at No 10 have emerged as Boris Johnson braced himself for the publication of the potentially explosive Sue Gray report. Former staffers described "wine-time Fridays" where bins would overflow with empty bottles, adding to the pressure on the prime minister as the report is expected to be published today.

And an exclusive Savanta poll for The Independent found that two-thirds (66 per cent) of voters believe Mr Johnson should resign if he is heavily criticised. In findings that will trouble anxious Conservative MPs, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of those who backed the Tories in 2019 said they were less likely to do so again if Mr Johnson remains leader.

One Tory critic of the PM said it was "urgent" that MPs submit letters of no confidence, while another said it was clear the prime minister was now an "electoral liability". A series of No 10 insiders told BBC's Panorama that they felt the gatherings were condoned by the prime minister, as he was "grabbing a glass for himself".

They said Downing Street would be left a "mess" after the events, with some revellers staying overnight. The insiders also said the culture was set by Mr Johnson himself, claiming he "wanted to be liked" and for staff to be able to "let their hair down".

The reports came after a leaked photograph showed Mr Johnson raising a glass at a leaving do for former spin doctor Lee Cain eight days after the implementation of England's second lockdown. Amid growing backbench concern about the impact of Partygate, one senior MP told The Independent: "The whole thing is rotten. He's got to go."