Wednesday 25 May 2022 08:40 AM Boris braces for Sue Gray's Partygate report TODAY trends now

Boris Johnson's survival is hanging in the balance as Sue Gray finally prepares to deliver her Partygate report today.

The PM is bracing for a battering with the top civil servant expected to name a slew of senior figures responsible for a lockdown-flouting culture in Whitehall.

More tangible evidence of the abuses, in the form of photographs, could reignite a Tory revolt that appeared to have fizzled out after police did not add to Mr Johnson's single fixed penalty fine.

The latest leaked image today shows an unidentified No10 staffer surrounded by bottles of booze and snacks. According to the Mirror, one worker had posted on a WhatsApp group: 'Time to open the Covid secure bar.' 

It comes after damning testimony from whistleblowers revealed that staff enjoyed raucous 'wine time' bashes, on one occasion allegedly mocking a security guard who warned that their behaviour was unacceptable.   

Mr Johnson will attempt to defuse rising anger with an apology-laden 'masochism strategy' today, making a statement to Parliament followed by a press conference and an address to Conservative MPs this evening.

Ministers are then hoping to shift the agenda on as swiftly as possible by announcing a fresh cost-of-living bailout that could be worth £10billion, part-funded by a windfall tax on surging profits at energy firms.

However, a particularly damning verdict from Ms Gray could yet spark MPs sending more no-confidence letters to the chair of the powerful Tory 1922 committee - with 54 required to trigger a full vote on whether to oust Mr Johnson. 

Mr Johnson is also facing an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee into whether he misled Parliament by insisting there were no parties in Downing Street.

That included specifically denying anything happened on November 13, 2020, when there is photographic evidence that he gave a speech and made a toast at a leaving do for one of his spin doctors.  

In a round of interviews this morning, Cabinet minister George Eustice previewed the line that Mr Johnson is likely to take, arguing the PM had not lied to MPs.

'Ministers and politicians are not supposed to knowingly mislead Parliament,' the Environment Secretary told Sky News.

'The Prime Minister himself has also given a very clear account of his own understanding of all of those events that he attended, that he didn't regard them as parties, that he didn't regard them as breaking the rules.

'He has explained that, that was his understanding, and obviously where the police have said there were particular failings on his part, in respect of the birthday party where the cake was brought in, he has acknowledged that and paid that fixed-penalty notice.'

One government source said: 'He's going to take it on the chin. He will apologise, he'll say 'We got things wrong' and he'll take responsibility.

'But he'll also point out that he has already learned many of the lessons – he has made big changes in Downing Street. And he'll say it has doubled his resolve to deliver for the public.'

Another source predicted that the report would make clear that many others were at fault for the lax culture in No. 10 that allowed a series of rule-breaking events to take place, which have infuriated the public.

'It happened on his watch, so he has to take responsibility – and he's happy to say sorry,' the source said. 

'But all that's changed since his last apology is that the police have concluded their investigations without giving him another fine.'

Despite the dismissive words, Ms Gray's report is expected to deliver a scathing verdict on the culture at the heart of Government during the pandemic.

Her interim report in January criticised 'failures of leadership and judgment' in Downing Street and highlighted concerns about a culture of excessive drinking.

The PM has since restructured his No. 10 operation, leading to the departure of a number of senior figures who are expected to face criticism in today's report.

Downing Street has also imposed an alcohol ban outside of official functions.

Tory whips are on red alert for signs that more backbench MPs may put in letters of no confidence if the PM fails to address Miss Gray's concerns. 

Tory critics last night hinted they may use Partygate to execute a coup.

Tom Tugendhat, the only senior Tory to confirm he wants to be leader, said he was 'talking to colleagues' about the PM's future. 

Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper plunged the knife in, saying it was 'not just the events, it's the fact he's not been straightforward about it'.

Tory veteran Sir Roger Gale added: 'He misled us from the despatch box. And, honourably, there is one answer.'

One leading rebel said: 'A lot of the 2019 intake are getting very unhappy... they are beginning to see that they will not hold their seats if Boris stays. 

'The question is, have they got the guts to do something about it?'

Today's report is expected to name about 30 senior figures involved in rule-breaking events, including the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.

Officials found to have broken the rules could face disciplinary procedures. One insider predicted the report would make grim reading for the Government by setting out details of a string of events where rules were broken.

It was revealed last week that the report will detail how one Cabinet Office leaving do ended up in a boozy fight. 

A source said: 'A lot of the details of what went on are out there already. But when people see it all put together there will still

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