Damian Green inquiry to conclude ‘within days’
The PM will quickly replace her deputy if allegations of impropriety are proven

The inquiry into harassment allegations levelled against Theresa May’s de facto deputy is expected to conclude “within days”, The Guardian reports.
The paper says First Secretary of State Damian Green’s political future “hangs in the balance” as he awaits the findings of a Cabinet Office investigation into allegations he harassed a young Conservative activist and downloaded pornography to a work computer.
The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Sue Grey, the Cabinet Office head of propriety and ethics, who is leading the inquiry, was examining Green’s computer records from the past five years, a claim denied by Whitehall.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The reports follow an interview by former Met police assistant commissioner Bob Quick, in which he claimed pornography of an “extreme” nature was found on Green’s parliamentary computer after a police raid in 2008. The former work and pensions secretary denied the allegations and accused Quick of a “disreputable political smear”.
It not known whether Grey will find any evidence of wrongdoing by Green, but the Prime Minister has drawn up contingency plans in case she is forced to sack her most trusted lieutenant.
Earlier this week, The Times reported that Environment Secretary Michael Gove was being lined up as a possible replacement, with Home Secretary Amber Rudd also a candidate. “Alternatively Mrs May could dispense with the role,” the paper says.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How generative AI is changing the way we write and speak
In The Spotlight ChatGPT and other large language model tools are quietly influencing which words we use
-
How long can Nato keep Donald Trump happy?
Today's Big Question Military alliance pulls out all the stops to woo US president on his peacemaker victory lap
-
Easy Money: the Charles Ponzi Story – an 'enlightening' podcast
The Week Recommends Apple Original podcast explores the 'fascinating' tale of the man who gave the investment scam its name
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group
-
New Year's Honours: why the controversy?
Today's Big Question London Mayor Sadiq Khan and England men's football manager Gareth Southgate have both received a knighthood despite debatable records
-
Is there a Christmas curse on Downing Street?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer could follow a long line of prime ministers forced to swap festive cheer for the dreaded Christmas crisis
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist