Simon Case, Senior Civil Servant, Admits Government ‘Talkative Rat’ May Never Be Found | Political news

The senior British official denied that a “talkative” investigation into the government leaks had been downgraded – despite an investigation that lasted more than five months – but admitted the culprit may never be found.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case left MPs frustrated with the progress of the investigation, which has been ongoing since late October last year, when details of England’s second COVID lockdown emerged in the media before an official announcement.

Mr Case also failed to provide answers on a number of other issues – including funding for the Prime Ministerof renovation of his Downing Street apartment.

Amid MPs’ exasperation with the top Whitehall official, former Labor shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused Mr Case of delivering a ‘poorly scripted version’ of the 1980s TV sitcom Yes Minister.

Mr Case’s appearance before the House of Commons Committee on Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs was eagerly awaited following explosive allegations by Boris Johnson. former Chief Advisor Dominic Cummings.

In a 1,000-word blog post, Mr Cummings alleged that the Prime Minister suggested ending the ‘talkative rat’ investigation because it may have implicated a friend of his fiancee, Carrie Symonds.

But Mr Case added to the Downing Street denial on Monday that Mr Johnson had sought to interfere in the investigation, telling MPs: ‘With regard to this particular leak, and others – the PM has always been clear, very determined to see these full investigations. “

And he confirmed the investigation is ongoing with a “clear indication that the source (s) have not been identified.”

However, suggesting that the source of the leak may never be found, Mr Case told the committee: “In the time that has just passed, I think it is likely that the team will not be able to identify source (s), but work is in progress. “