Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Press Conference Rehearsal: Consequences for Staff

Thursday 13 January 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Gwynne inquired about the consequences for staff involved in a video from December 2021 showing a rehearsal for a press conference.
  • The Government stated they do not comment on individual disciplinary matters, adhering to long-standing practice.
  • The Cabinet Office investigation's findings are to be published.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Standards & Ethics
Context

A video was reported in December 2021 showing members of the Prime Minister's office rehearsing for a press conference. There were concerns about consequences faced by those involved.

Question

What consequences have staff faced who were involved in a video reported in the media in December 2021, which showed members of the Prime Minister's office rehearsing for a press conference?

Answer from Michael Ellis

Following the long-standing practice of successive Administrations, Her Majesty's Government do not comment on individual disciplinary matters. The terms of reference for the Cabinet Office's investigation have been published and the Government have committed to publishing the findings of that investigation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific disciplinary actions taken against staff involved in the video were not addressed.

How: Following Long-Standing Practice, Not Commenting On Individual Disciplinary Matters

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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Standards & Ethics
Context

There were parties at Downing Street during the lockdown, with the Prime Minister present. The MP criticises the Prime Minister for breaking the law and providing false information to Parliament.

Question

But now we know that there were parties at Downing Street in lockdown and the Prime Minister was present. It is serious. He knowingly breached the rules that he himself set for the country. He broke the law, and over recent weeks he has told the House things that turned out not to be true, breaking the ministerial code. Allegra Stratton paid the price for joking about parties at Downing Street—parties that the Prime Minister attended. Why is it always the little people who get the chop to save this unsaveable Prime Minister?

Answer from Michael Ellis

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this matter is under the purview of a senior civil servant—the second permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who is an expert having been director general of propriety and ethics. She is carefully looking into the matter. She is a highly respected civil servant with probity, independence and integrity, and she will report in due course, swiftly. So the hon. Gentleman will no doubt wish to wait before he jumps to any unwarranted and unevidenced conclusions.

Not addressed: The specific disciplinary actions or lack thereof against the Prime Minister were not addressed.

How: Matter Under Purview Of A Senior Civil Servant, Looking Into The Matter

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