Downing Street Christmas Party: Ministers, special advisers and civil servants expected to cooperate with investigation

All ministers, special advisers and civil servants will be expected to cooperate with an investigation into three alleged parties in Downing Street and Whitehall, according to a Cabinet Office minister.

Michael Ellis told MPs: “I can confirm to the House that the Cabinet Secretary’s investigation will establish the facts surrounding the following: allegations made of a gathering at 10 Downing Street on November 27 2020; a gathering at the Department for Education on December 10 2020; and allegations made of a gathering at 10 Downing Street on December 18 2020.

“The primary purpose of the Cabinet Secretary’s investigation will be to establish swiftly a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, the setting and the purpose, and with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time.

“If required, the investigation will establish whether individual disciplinary action is warranted.”

Michael Ellis said officials investigating the matter will have access to “all relevant records” and be able to speak to staff, adding to MPs: “As with all internal investigations if, during the course of the work any evidence emerges of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence, the matter will be referred to the police and the Cabinet Office’s work may be paused.

“I must emphasise that the matters relating to adherence to the law are properly for the police to investigate and the Cabinet Office will liaise with the police as appropriate.

“All ministers, special advisers and civil servants will be expected to cooperate with this investigation.”

Speaking about the investigation, Labour shadow Cabinet Office minister, Fleur Anderson, said: “I don’t think we need to call them alleged parties, they are the parties”.

She said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that he’s asked the Cabinet Secretary to conduct this investigation.

“I have asked for this urgent question as there are further urgent questions to be asked about the investigation, and I don’t think we need to call them alleged parties, they are the parties, held in the Government department or by Government ministers elsewhere. Are there more parties that we need to hear about?”