If what gets published in the next day or so is heavily redacted, this may backfire on Boris.
Many Tory MPs are already unhappy with the handling of Partygate and reporting delays. They are holding fire as they would prefer not to assume him guilty in the absence of evidence.
If it is perceived (fairly or otherwise) that No 10 are responsible for getting the police involved to create delay and muddy the waters, the tolerance of his MPs may be at an end.
Clarity to bring the whole charade to a conclusion quickly is of far greater consequence than a few trivial fines issued in respect of something that happened 12-24 months ago.
It is now a running sore, and well past the point where delay will save his bacon. It is only a prompt report which largely exonerates him (probably unlikely) that will do otherwise.
|
