David Allen

A series of parties allegedly held in Downing Street and other government departments during Covid restrictions are being investigated by senior civil servant Sue Gray .

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says The Report Will be published next week, but what exactly is Ms Gray looking at and what powers does she have?

Ms Gray is currently second permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office , reporting to the UK's most senior civil servant, Simon Case. A civil servant is someone who helps the government carry out its policies.

Ms Gray 's past experience includes an investigation of senior government Minister Damian Green in 2017,

According to media reports, allegedly took place in either Downing Street - where the Prime Minister lives and Works - or other government departments during the Covid pandemic.

There was, where Mr Johnson said he stayed for 25 minutes to thank Staff for their work.

This Was despite legal restrictions and guidelines being in place to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Ms Gray has been asked to look at the nature and purpose of the gatherings, including who went to them " with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time".

It is an internal investigation rather than an independent inquiry. It was ordered by Mr Johnson, he set the terms of reference and Ms Gray - who is - Will report back to him.

The Investigation team has been able to speak to current and former members of Staff . For example, The Bbc has been told the PM's former adviser Dominic Cummings was approached by Ms Gray 's team.

The results of The Investigation Will be made public, according to Paymaster General Michael Ellis . But it has been suggested that this Will be a summary of the findings rather than a fuller report.

There have been both legal restrictions and guidance in place to tackle the spread of the disease.

The terms of reference do not suggest that Ms Gray Will decide whether laws have been broken. Also legal commentator David Allen Green: " [Ms] Gray cannot make a determination as to whether there is criminal liability, as she is not a court. "

Ms Gray 's report is expected to give a factual account of What Happened with reference to the guidance. That does not necessarily mean that she Will say whether there have been breaches of it.

Even the status of the guidance can be complicated - Much was written down in a series of online pages, but the government also held a series of press conferences which advised people How To behave.

When It Comes to the PM, Ms Gray may " touch on The Role of the Prime Minister but it isn't [her] place to judge his behaviour" says Catherine Haddon , of The Institute for Government Think Tank .

According to The Inquiry 's terms of reference: " If required, the investigations Will establish whether individual disciplinary action is warranted. "

Any specific HR action against individual members of Staff - either civil servants or political advisers - would be confidential.

If there is evidence a Minister has Breached - such as potentially misleading Parliament - it could be investigated by the Prime Minister 's standards adviser Lord Geidt. Mr Johnson would need to give permission before any new inquiry was launched and he ultimately decides if any Minister - including Himself - has broken The Code .

Source of news: bbc.com