Boris Johnson remains defiant after Partygate report

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( February 01, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Boris Johnson refuses to quit after Partygate report blasts failure of leadership]( Boris Johnson is desperately trying to shore up his premiership this morning after the Sue Gray report criticised "failures of leadership and judgement" at 10 Downing Street. The senior civil servant's short report revealed yesterday that the Metropolitan Police are conducting a criminal investigation into 12 separate events in No 10 and other government departments, including at least three believed to have been attended by the prime minister. The police said yesterday that they have been handed more than 500 pages of documents and 300 pictures as part of the investigation. Downing Street also made assurances that an updated report on lockdown parties would be published by Sue Gray once police finish their inquiries. 2 / [Russia accuses West of 'wanting war to happen' in fierce UN exchange]( New powers to sanction individuals linked to Kremlin revealed as UN Security Council meets 3 / [What are the key points in Sue Gray's report on Downing Street parties?]( Civil servant criticises the 'excessive consumption of alcohol' which was 'not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time' 4 / [Ayia Napa: British woman wants fresh investigation after court rules she didn't make up gang rape claims]( Her lawyer tells The Independent she's been through 'one of the worst imaginable times in her life' 5 / [Almost 2,000 children killed fighting for Houthis in Yemen civil war]( Some soldiers were as young as seven, reports the United Nations The Big Question What Downing Street parties are the Met Police investigating? Boris Johnson’s birthday celebration is among a dozen gatherings being investigated by police, Sue Gray’s report has confirmed. The prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, reportedly helped organise a surprise event for him in Downing Street’s cabinet room on 19 June 2020, where attendees presented a cake and sang “happy birthday”. Covid laws at the time meant that large social gatherings were banned, unless they were between linked households. An alleged party in the prime minister’s private flat in November 2020 was also confirmed to be part of the probe, alongside several leaving dos and Christmas parties. Ms Gray wrote: “It is not for me to make a judgment on whether the criminal law has been broken; that is properly a matter for law enforcement." [Read the full story >]( Watch / [Northern parts of UK brace for Storm Corrie after Storm Malik leaves 3 dead]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 60% Boris Johnson’s government has claimed that Brexit has already proved a “big success” despite [a new survey]( showing 60 per cent of British exporting firms are struggling with red tape QUOTE OF THE DAY "This is a moment where we must look at ourselves in the mirror and we must learn." – Boris Johnson [apologised to the House of Commons]( and said he will make changes to No 10 and the Cabinet Office in response to Sue Gray’s report into parties in Downing Street. Other stories you might like [The New York Times purchases popular word game Wordle]( [Toxic air and toxic debate as controversy grows over Greater Manchester's clean air zone]( [Brexit has been 'big success' says government - despite 60% of exporters struggling with red tape]( Articles available exclusively to subscribers Hamish McRae, The Independent: [Amid the squeeze on living standards, there are reasons to be hopeful]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.