When is Sue Gray’s report due? Tory ‘Red Wall’ MP letters push Boris towards threshold

Boris Johnson: MPs have 'one go' at no confidence says host

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The Prime Minister’s position is on a knife’s edge, as Tory members condemn his several alleged rule-breaking gatherings at Number 10. Over the next few hours, the 1922 Committee of grandees that governs party leadership could see letters calling for a no-confidence vote reach the required threshold of 54. Sue Gray’s report likely remains on the forefront of those dissatisfied Parliamentarians as another avenue to oust the embattled Mr Johnson.

When is the Sue Gray report due?

Sue Gray is a senior civil servant who currently serves as Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

She is investigating confirmed and alleged parties at Downing Street, approximately 13 in total.

The lengthy process has seen her take witness statements, procure documents and interview high profile figures, such as the Prime Minister himself.

Investigations of this kind cover significant ground and, as such, traditionally come with a flexible deadline.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson previously told Express.co.uk the results would come “in due course”.

According to Sky News, it could conclude within the next two weeks.

But ITV political editor Robert Peston narrowed the timeline down even further.

Speaking on ITV news, he said Ms Gray could publish the report in the next few days.

Addressing his followers on Twitter, he said “reliable sources” gave a “60:40 chance” it would come by Friday, January 21.

He added the source told him she “expects the PM to read it” but “not make any changes”.

For some MPs, even Friday may prove too long to wait, as they are gearing up for a no-confidence vote.

Over the last two weeks, letters have trickled into the office of Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee.

Party rules stipulate that, should he receive 54, the committee can call a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Recent reports suggest letters have nearly reached this benchmark, with 12 MPs from the 2019 intake sending theirs on Wednesday morning (January 19).

Their contribution came after a meeting on January 18. The decision came following the Prime Minister claiming “nobody” told him the gathering he attended “for 25 minutes” was against the rules.

Those 12 letters compound the damage caused by several more from MPs both privately and publicly excoriating Mr Johnson.

But only Sir Graham knows how many MPs have delivered so far.

He has not commented on correspondence received but did disclose some thoughts on restrictions and the coming report.

He said: “Having opposed those restrictions, I do nonetheless believe it was incumbent on those who introduced them to follow both the letter and the spirit of the regulations that were in force.”

Sir Graham added: “Like others, I will be looking at Sue Gray’s report into these matters very carefully.”

If the letters meet the required minimum, they trigger a leadership vote.

Mr Johnson will lose his position if a majority of Tory MPs – approximately 180 – vote against him.

So far, there is little indication of whether enough opposition exists in the party to oust him.

Other unpopular Conservative Prime Ministers have fought and won votes of no confidence in the past.

Before Mr Johnson, Theresa May resisted a similar vote with 200 votes in her favour to 117.

But MPs didn’t reach the required letters threshold for months, while Mr Johnson has seen his support rapidly collapse.

If Conservative rebels fail to trigger a leadership competition, they will have to wait a year before rules allow them to push for another no-confidence vote.

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