Top Partygate official Simon Case was once Prince William’s right-hand man

Civil Service chief Simon Case, one of the longest-serving people criticized in Sue Gray’s report, is unlikely to step down from his position – which is one of many he’s held over the years

The Sue Gray report caused a stir in Westminster and across the UK today after coming to the damning conclusion that the Partygate scandal had “far exceeded” the standards expected in No 10.

Many have been awaiting the outcome of the senior official’s report for several months after its release was delayed during a Met Police investigation into Downing Street parties.

While Miss Gray, who entered civil service straight out of school, is hugely respected in Whitehall, she was actually the second choice to investigate Partygate – after top civil servant Simon Case was forced to resign.

Just a week after Mr Case was originally slated to write the report, it was revealed he was present at a private gathering in his own office at which coronavirus restrictions were broken.

For more updates on Sue Gray’s report, visit our live blog here.

Mr Case was not fined in the Met Police inquiry into gatherings at 10 Downing Street – but the Gray Report findings place much of the blame for Whitehall’s party culture on senior executives.

In her conclusion, Miss Gray writes: “The top leadership of the center, both politically and officially, must take responsibility for this culture.”

Despite this damning observation, Simon Case is unlikely to step down from his role as head of public service.

The father of three and a Cambridge graduate has held several senior positions at Whitehall throughout his career, including as the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary (PPS), serving both David Cameron and Theresa May.

After first entering the civil service in 2006, the Bristolian worked at the Ministry of Defense before moving to the Northern Ireland Office and the Cabinet Office.

He also worked as head of the Olympic Secretariat which oversaw the running of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Post-Brexit, Case was tasked with negotiating a resolution of the Irish border issue in his role as Director-General for Northern Ireland and Ireland.

He even worked as PPS for Prince William in 2018 – he was appointed shortly after Harry and Meghan’s wedding.

Case, who is married to Expedia and Hotels.com chief finance officer Elizabeth Kistruck, was also asked to testify in the Greensill investigation.

The inquiry looked into government lobbying activities on behalf of finance company Greensill Capital – run by businessman Lex Greensill.

A major focus of the investigation was Case’s former boss and ex-Prime Minister David Cameron.