Boris Johnson Faces Judgment Day

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting for his political life as a report into alleged parties at 10 Downing Street during COVID-19 restrictions could be published as early as Wednesday.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray is due to deliver her report on the parties that have led to calls for Johnson to resign as prime minister and her conclusions could have a major impact on the Conservative leader's future.

The report is expected a day after London's Metropolitan Police announced their own investigation into the alleged gatherings at Downing Street, adding to the pressure on Johnson.

Johnson's office had not yet received the report at the time of writing on early Wednesday morning but it is believed the report could be published later today.

Gray had been tasked with investigating alleged gatherings that may have violated rules that were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are 17 events that are said to have taken place at Downing Street and other government departments. Some of those events were attended by the prime minister.

ITV News reported this week that there had been a birthday party for Johnson in the Cabinet Room at Downing Street on June 19, 2020, that involved up to 30 people. At that time, most indoor gatherings of more than two people were not permitted.

The prime minister previously apologized for attending a "bring-your-own-booze" party at 10 Downing Street on May 20, 2020. He said he believed it was a "work event."

Johnson has faced calls to resign as prime minister both from the opposition and members of his own Conservative Party. He has repeatedly called for critics to wait for the publication of Gray's report.

It is believed that Gray's report will provide a factual account of the parties and make reference to the prime minister's role but she may not conclude whether laws were broken.

On Tuesday, it was initially reported that Gray's report could be delayed due to the police investigation, but it now appears the parts of the report that do not relate to that investigation can be published.

The Conservatives enjoy a substantial majority in the House of Commons but if 54 Conservative members of parliament (MPs) submit letters of no confidence in Johnson, that would trigger a leadership election. Johnson could also choose to resign from his position and avoid facing a potential confidence vote.

Johnson will face MPs at 12.00 p.m. UK time on Wednesday (7.00 a.m. ET) for the weekly period of prime minister's questions where he is expected to be grilled about the parties, though the report may not have been submitted or published by that time.

The prime minister is also expected to a make a statement to the House of Commons in the afternoon after he receives Gray's report and both opposition and government MPs will respond.

It remains unclear what the reaction to Gray's report will be, while the police investigation is only in its early stages.