BASINGSTOKE’S MP has aired disappointment after a full report into alleged parties at Downing Street was not published.

Maria Miller said that Government should “not lose sight of the findings” in an interim report published into alleged parties at Downing Street on several occasions while the country was under coronavirus restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to MPs after senior official Sue Gray found “failures of leadership and judgment” as gatherings were held while England was under coronavirus restrictions in 2020 and 2021.

READ MORE: Sue Gray Report: Read the report in full about Boris Johnson party allegations

Criticism came from across the House, including from former prime minister Theresa May who asked whether Mr Johnson either did not “read the rules”, understand them, or “didn’t think the rules applied to No 10”.

Ms Gray revealed in an “update” that of the 16 alleged gatherings she had deemed necessary to investigate, at least 12 linked to government properties in Downing Street and Whitehall were being investigated by the police.

This included at least four directly linked to Mr Johnson either because he was reported to have attended, or because they are reported to have taken place in his flat.

Three alleged gatherings not previously reported were also included in the report.

Mrs Miller said: "It is extremely disappointing that Sue Gray has not been able to provide a 'meaningful report' because of the Metropolitan Police's investigations. This report was commissioned by the Prime Minister on 8th December, almost two months ago, but now because of police investigations, no details of the events in question can be included. People are rightly frustrated, and I urge the police to complete their work so that all the facts can be made public.

SEE ALSO: MPs deny any knowledge of alleged garden party at Downing Street in May 2020

"We should not lose sight of the findings that are in this interim report. Sue Gray has been able to set out significant short comings in the oversight of work done in Number Ten; specifically, a culture of 'excessive consumption of alcohol not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time' ; the use of the Prime Minister’s private garden 'for gatherings without clear authorisation or oversight'; and the lack of a clear process for staff to report poor conduct where they witness it; systemic shortcomings in the way in which Government operates that are deeply concerning. In response the Prime Minister has announced the creation of a new Government Department called the 'Office of the Prime Minister' with a Permanent Secretary to be clearly responsible for those who work at Number ten and to improve the accountability to Parliament. These are significant and overdue changes in the way Government works.

"The Prime Minister has again rightly apologised to the nation. People made extraordinary sacrifices throughout the pandemic, and it is crucial that anyone who broke the rules is subject to the sanctions agreed by Parliament."

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