Coffee House Shots

The long anticipated Sue Gray report was finally published today albeit lacking significant chucks of details. Following the report Boris Johnson made a statement in the Commons addressing Partygate. Though he apologised at the beginning, his tone did not seem particularly apologetic which clearly riled a number of MPs across party lines. 'The discomfort among the Tory benches today was striking'- James ForsythBut what will be the aftermath of the debate? And can Boris Johnson still come back from this?Listen to the full discussion on Sue Gray's report as Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Hardman showcases the best bits from Sunday's interview shows. In the spotlight today are Liz Truss, Lisa Nandy and Sir Ed Davey.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has come out fighting, but that doesn't mean he's in the clear. Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about the Prime Minister's efforts to keep himself inside No. 10. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the Met Police requested that Sue Gray's report makes 'minimal reference' to the events in her inquiry, whilst there is an ongoing police investigation. 'I think it puts the government in a difficult position. If you publish the report with minimal reference to the alleged parties being investigated by the police you’ll be accused of a whitewash report' - Katy Balls.As a consequence of the police investigation, there are also rumours that others in Whitehall might be fined over parties in the coming weeks. What will be the outcome of this? Will the culprits, who are likely to be junior staffers at No.10 dispute the fines?All to be discussed as Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whilst everyone waits for the Sue Gray report, all eyes turn to the next scandal: Pen Farthing's animal rescue operation out of Afghanistan. It has been revealed that Boris Johnson's parliamentary private secretary, Trudy Harrison contacted a jet hire company in an attempt to secure a plane to evacuate the pets. The PM has responded to these allegations saying they are 'total rhubarb' - but what does that mean?'You don’t seem to get the impression that Downing Street feels as if they are under pressure about this' - Katy BallsAlso on the podcast, is Boris Johnson planning a shake-up of his staff at No.10? And if so, who might go? Martin Reynolds? Dan Rosenfield?All to be discussed as Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The view on the Tory benches at the moment seems to be consistently ‘wait for Gray’ before they decide whether or not they will send a letter of no confidence. The 54 letters required is now more likely since the announcement of the police probe into Downing Street parties, but it is still by no means a certainty.Boris Johnson gathered a surprising amount of support at PMQs today. Helped in part. by opposition MPs calling on him to resign:'Richard Burgon, a former member of Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet making a grand statement of how the PM should resign is naturally going to bring the Tory MPs together on Boris Johnson’s side' - Katy Balls. Also on the podcast, Pen Farthing and his Afghan animal rescue operation has just resurfaced. Emails have been leaked suggesting that Boris Johnson did in fact authorise a rescue operation having publically denied allegations.All to be discussed as James Forsyth speaks to Katy Balls from a breezy rooftop in the House of Commons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest in the scandal of Downing Street parties points to the Prime Minister’s own birthday, where a gathering took place in the Cabinet Office. Whilst this has been played off by a Downing Street spokesperson as being on ‘the edges of a work event’. Cressida Dick announced this morning that events at No.10 during lockdown have now been deemed serious enough to deserve a police investigation.  How long does this now go on for? It could make the May election results terrible for the Tories, prompting more MPs to write a letter of no confidence. 'Someone close to Boris Johnson said to me that this idea to 'delay to Gray' is wrong. He’s going to need it to come out so that he can apologise and move on so that people’s opinions of him don’t calcify' - James ForsythAll to be discussed on today's podcast as Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend the MP Nusrat Ghani accused the government of sacking her because allegedly her Muslim faith was an issue, and they thought she didn't defend the Conservative party's charges of Islamophobia more. In the week of the release of the infamous Sue Gray report into Partygate how are the Tories dealing with these two scandals? 'The whip's office is caught between Sandhurst and a HR department.' - James ForsythCindy Yu is joined by James Forsyth and Katy Balls to unpack the weekend's revelations.And if you are interested in learning more about Nasrat Ghani's Journey to become an MP do listen to Katy's interview with her from last year's Women with Balls podcast here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/the-nus-ghani-edition Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political shows, with Dominic Raab, Emily Thornberry, Nicola Sturgeon and Vadym Prystaiko. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and the Spectator's Russia correspondent Owen Matthews about the buildup of forces on the border with Ukraine.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.