Further details of the new Partygate accusations emerged as Boris Johnson's allies launched a furious fightback, forcing Downing Street to deny he was the victim of a politically motivated stitch up.
Government sources said about 12 potentially illegal events formed the basis of a dossier handed over to two police forces last week. While it was initially thought they were held at the prime minister's graceand-favour mansion, Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, insiders say they also took place in No 10.
They were said to include events that did not form part of the Met police investigation last year, or the Whitehall inquiry led by the thensenior civil servant Sue Gray.
After Johnson's allies made clear their fury, No 10 stressed Rishi Sunak had no involvement in the decision to hand over the former prime minister's pandemic diaries.
"We have not seen the information or material in question," said Sunak's official spokesperson yesterday, adding that ministers had "no involvement in this process and were only made aware after the police had been contacted".
This story is from the May 25, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the May 25, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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