Johnson faces a mauling from his own MPs

Ahead of the publication of Sue Gray’s report into partygate, there had been talk that the police investigation — which meant the most tricky parts of Gray’s investigation were left out — would help Boris Johnson by ensuring he got off lightly. However, anyone watching the reaction from MPs to the Prime Minister’s statement in the chamber will have been left wondering what the full report would have triggered. While the shortened report meant the Prime Minister was spared embarrassing details coming to light, it did not stop Johnson from facing a mauling from his own side.

While a number of supportive MPs asked the Prime Minister to focus on channel crossings and suggested too much time had been spent talking about parties in the Commons (despite the Prime Minister asking for this session), the sitting was defined by the criticism emanating from the Tory benches. It was notable that there was little jeering of Keir Starmer when he gave his response — instead Tory MPs sat silently. Theresa