Watch live: Johnson to speak as report blames 'senior leadership' for illegal parties
The "partygate" scandal which engulfed Boris Johnson and his close team earlier this year returns to centre stage on Wednesday with the publication of the much-awaited official report.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray's report has been made public having earlier been handed to the British prime minister.
Johnson is due to address parliament on its findings at 13.30 CET after Prime Minister's Questions — watch in the video player above.
A failure of leadership at British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street office was to blame for a culture that led to illegal parties being held during coronavirus lockdowns, the report says.
"Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen," the report says. "The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture."
The results follow the publication of more photos and accounts this week of lockdown-breaking parties at Johnson's Downing Street office and residence.
The report gives more details about the numerous parties and social gatherings that took place in the heart of government — at a time when it was imposing strict lockdown rules on the rest of the population to try to curb the spread of COVID-19.
This week, ITV News published photos appearing to show Johnson raising a wine glass and making a speech at a gathering on November 13, 2020. Several open bottles are visible on the table next to him. The event was a staff leaving party, the broadcaster said.
When questioned about it in parliament in December last year, the prime minister denied there was a party and said he was sure "the rules were followed at all times".
But the BBC's investigative Panorama programme broadcast on Tuesday cited insiders describing crowded
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