SUE GRAY REPORT - Today I appeared on GB News with Gloria De Piero to discuss the report and the Prime Minister’s response to it.
I think we have all found the delay to this report being published frustrating and whilst it’s important that it is comprehensive, whatever people’s views are I’m sure they would want it to be released and then actioned swiftly.
The report has been restricted to an extent due to the involvement of the Metropolitan Police investigation, however there were a number of conclusions and recommendations made.
I am pleased that the Prime Minister has accepted the report and that he has committed to act on those recommendations. He has also pledged to publish the full report once it is released.
There is clearly an issue with the wider work culture in parts of Westminster, whether that be in No.10, the Cabinet Office or Whitehall generally and whilst this is not a new thing, it is something that will be addressed. It is also important to bear in mind that whilst these are workplaces, it is important to act within the rules on Covid, as well as the spirit of those rules, which apply to everybody.
Like the rest of the country, I followed the rules and made many sacrifices during the pandemic and I share the anger and frustration of those who feel others may not have been doing the same.
I think it is vital at this point to focus on what the report actually says, rather than what some people would like it to say. Likewise, everybody deserves a fair hearing and we should not prejudge any police investigations.
Following his statement to the House of Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister met with Conservative MPs last night. He took full responsibility and apologised, as you would expect from a leader or head of an organisation, and outlined what he plans to do to reform the way things work and to act on Sue Gray’s recommendations, including the operation at No.10.
The Prime Minister also spoke passionately of his desire to continue with the important work this government is doing. It’s now two years since we got Brexit done, we’ve rolled out a hugely successful vaccination programme and we also have the fastest growth of all of the economies in the G7.
He wants to get on with the job of levelling up this country and today he flew to Ukraine for important talks aimed at preventing conflict. He also spoke of tackling the cost of living and our energy security, as well as dealing with illegal immigration.
These are the issues you have been telling me are important to you when I have knocked on your doors. At times Westminster can be in a bubble and whilst I think it is important to acknowledge when something is wrong and to act on it, the Punch and Judy side of politics is not something that interests the public - however prominent it may be in the media.
So whilst I think it is still important to bear in mind any investigations, let’s now focus on those issues that are most important to people - those do not involve birthday cakes and wallpaper.
It is for this reason that the Prime Minister continues to have my full support and following Sue Gray’s report why we now need to crack on and concentrate on the things that matter to you the most.
