Johnson clings to power despite damning Partygate report

While there was little that was new in Sue Gray’s report into Downing Street’s boozy parties, which was published this week, some of the details of the carry-on at 10 Downing Street were pretty shocking all the same.

A picture was painted of staff drinking until they vomited, fights in gardens, red wine splattered on walls and security staff and cleaners treated with disrespect by those in powerful positions.

The controversy has already hurt Johnson’s poll ratings, with voters disapproving of him by a margin of two to one. Two by-elections in Conservative-held constituencies next month will offer MPs a fresh opportunity to consider how safe their own seats are.

On today’s In the News podcast London editor Denis Staunton recaps the week’s events and analyses how Partygate has sapped the prime minister’s political capital at a dangerous moment.