Rees-Mogg says MPs must not ‘pressurise’ Sue Gray over Partygate report

The government’s leader in the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg has today said that opposition MPs ought not to “pressurise” Cabinet Office official Sue Gray over her inquiry into the allegations that lockdown-defying gatherings were held at Downing St and Whitehall.

Ms Gray, the second permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office must be “given the time she needs” to finalise the report Jacob Rees-Mogg argued in the House of Commons today.

“It’s wrong of members of this House to pressurise the independent investigator over the speed of her report,” said the MP for North Somerset.

“It would be wrong for the government to put pressure on her, it is wrong of the opposition to do it. Sue Gray is doing it independently, and she must be given the time that she needs to do it.

“But of course, as the prime minister has said, when the report is released he will come to the House, he will make a statement, and he will be open to questions. That is the proper parliamentary procedure,” he went on.