Sheffield City Council CEO Kate Josephs "truly sorry" following Sue Gray report
A gathering was held at the Cabinet Office to mark her leaving the Civil Service on December 17 2020
Sheffield City Council's Chief Executive Kate Josephs has today said she's "truly sorry" for a leaving event at the Cabinet Office.
It emerged earlier this year a gathering was held to mark her leaving the Civil Service on December 17 2020. At the time she was a Director General in the Covid Task force.
Sue Gray's report today detailed that around 20 to 30 officials attended, and the intention was to follow social distancing guidelines, but that didn't happen as those in the room gathered in small groups.
On Wednesday, Sheffield City Council said the cross-party committee set up to look into this issue will need to meet again before any decision is made.
Ms Josephs said in a statement on Wednesday: "I want to reiterate my sincere and unequivocal apology for, on 17 December 2020, gathering with colleagues in the Cabinet Office as I left my previous job.
"I am truly sorry I did this and for the anger that people feel as a result. The specific facts of the event are set out in the Cabinet Office investigation report published today. I did not attend any events in 10 Downing Street.
"I am continuing to do everything asked of me by the committee that Sheffield City Council have put in place to make decisions on my future as chief executive and do not want to prejudice or pre-empt that process, as such I will make no further statement until that process is complete. I remain totally committed to our city and the Council."
Ms Gray's report said the December 17 event to mark Ms Josephs and an unnamed official leaving took place in the Cabinet Office in Whitehall and was attended by 20 to 30 people, including senior officials.
In the week before the event, Second Permanent Secretary James Bowler said the event could take place if it was time-limited, that no-one was to travel into the office specially and that it should be socially distanced.
The report said that an official sent a email on behalf of Ms Josephs to 40 members of staff the day before the event which said: "Kate J and (unnamed No 10 official) farewell drinks @ Thu 17 Dec 20206:30pm - 8:30pm.
"Where: 70 Whitehall Conference Room C.
"Given higher COVID restrictions please do not travel into London for this if you wouldn't otherwise have been in the office
"We are leaving the COVID Taskforce :("
The message also said: "We'd love it if you could join us for a farewell, COVID secure, drink."
Ms Gray found that Mr Bowler gave a speech to thank both Ms Josephs and the No 10 official, leaving shortly afterwards.
Her report said that plans to observe social distancing guidance during the event did not happen "as those in the room gathered in small groups, and there was also mingling between groups".
The report said "There was food and drink available, including crisps, beer and prosecco that had been purchased by individuals attending.
"Background music was played through a smartphone."
The report found that the event began between 7pm and 8pm and, although some people left after the speeches, somebody ordered six pizzas for those left at 10.44pm.
It said the event ended between 11pm and 11.30pm but some people, including Ms Josephs, left at around 12.23am after tidying up.
And a small number of other people then headed to No 10 Downing Street, "apparently with the intention of joining the separate leaving event taking place".
After Ms Josephs apologised in January, Sheffield City Council set up a cross-party committee which later appointed an independent investigator.
Leader of Sheffield City Council Terry Fox said: "I've seen Sue Gray's report today at the same time as everyone else and it clearly paints a picture that will anger people across the country, and in Sheffield.
"In terms of Kate Josephs, I've expressed my feelings and deep disappointment many times about the gathering that took place in her former role at the Cabinet Office - I find myself having to do that again today. The gathering on December 17 was held while our communities were making massive sacrifices. This is not what the people of Sheffield want or deserve to see.
"The cross-party committee that was set up to look into this issue following Kate Josephs' statement in January will now need to meet again before any decision can be made.
"We've all had to wait for the process to be followed properly, and we must continue to let the committee do its work. It's absolutely vital we get this right for Sheffield and all involved."