Tory MPs launch bid to stop Labour’s ‘unprecedented’ hiring of Sue Gray

Boris Johnson’s allies continue campaign to discredit Partygate inquiry run by departing civil servant

Senior Conservatives have launched a bid to stymie Labour’s “unprecedented” hiring of outgoing civil servant Sue Gray, amid claims the rules for departing senior officials had been breached.

Conservative MPs demanded the appointment be blocked for up to two years given her “knowledge of the most sensitive details of government ministers”, while Boris Johnson’s allies ramped up their campaign to discredit the Partygate inquiry she ran.