Boris Johnson’s former aide Dominic Cummings said he was not meeting Sue Gray on Monday but was submitting evidence to her investigation in writing.
On his blog, Mr Cummings said: “When SG (Sue Gray) asked to speak to me I emailed to the effect: if we speak the PM will invent nonsense and spin it to the media and you and I will both have problems, let’s keep everything in writing, therefore he cannot invent things I’ve supposedly said to you, there is only a written record, this makes both our lives easier.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Milton Keynes University Hospital in Buckinghamshire.
Adrian Dennis
“She agreed. So I have answered questions in writing and will answer further questions in writing if she wants.
“But I will not speak and therefore provide the PM with more chances to lie and confuse everybody.”
Dominic Cummings claimed evidence was being kept from Sue Gray’s inquiry because staff fear it would be seen by Boris Johnson.
He suggested that meant that further evidence – including photos – will keep leaking after her report.
“I know others are very worried about handing things to the Cabinet Office because they know the PM will see everything SG collects,” Mr Cummings said.
“This inevitably means that evidence, including photos, is not given to her and instead will keep leaking after her report. (To stress, this is a consequence of beliefs about the PM’s integrity, not SG’s.)
“Other damaging stories will come out until he is gone.”
He suggested that “many officials are desperate” to force Mr Johnson out this week.
