Sussex university lecturer on government's future after Gray report

Dr Sam Power, a lecturer in corruption analysis at the University of Sussex, believes the government may be “incredibly damaged” by the Sue Gray report, which was released yesterday.

It includes photographs of Boris Johnson attending multiple gatherings at 10 Downing Street during lockdown, when meeting in large groups was illegal.

He could be seen raising a glass, and was surrounded by empty bottles of wine.

Boris Johnson at a party in Number 10 during lockdown. Image: ITV

"The Sue Gray report evidences a culture of widespread rule-breaking that appears to have been at least implicitly condoned under Boris Johnson’s leadership,” said Dr Power.

“Whilst the polling suggests that issues such as the cost-of-living crisis are at the top of voters’ minds, political history shows us that scandals often get conflated with these more pressing concerns.

"And so, this could be incredibly damaging for the Conservative Party’s electoral prospects. In this sense the Conservative Party may face a situation of double jeopardy. The Sue Gray report will confirm for many their suspicions that there was a ‘one rule for them’ culture endemic at the highest levels of government.

Boris Johnson has come under fire over the lockdown parties

"New evidence outlines appalling behaviour to security staff and cleaners, and of boasts that they 'seem to have got away with' the parties coming to light.

“As voters continue to feel the economic squeeze, for some, it may reaffirm their suspicions of a government out of touch with their concerns."

Many Tory MPs have come out in support of the Prime Minister, including Steve Barclay who told Sky News this morning that Boris Johnson does not tell lies and maintains his “honour”.

10 Downing Street received the greatest number of lockdown-related fines in the United Kingdom.