Conclusion 4

We are at a loss to explain Mr Gove’s decision not to allow Ms Gray to give evidence to the Committee, particularly given her willingness to do so. The Osmotherly Rules have never been recognised by Parliament, which maintains its right to call for any individual. However, even if Parliament were to accept the Rules, we can see no grounds within them for Ms Gray not to give evidence to our inquiry. As we made clear, the nature of the questions we wished to put to Ms Gray was to establish matters of fact. The Minister has denied Ms Gray the opportunity to give her version of events and to clarify her role. Moreover, the intervention of the Minister to prevent her from answering these will surely add to the suspicions surrounding this episode.