The Cabinet Secretary appointed to investigate alleged parties in Downing Street and the Department for Education during lockdown last year has recused himself after he was accused of hosting a Christmas party at around the same time. Simon Case quit his role leading the inquiry on Friday after it emerged a quiz was held in his own department that he was aware of and spoke at “to ensure the ongoing investigation retains public confidence.” Second Permanent Secretary to Cabinet Office Sue Gray has replaced Case to lead the inquiry, Downing Street said. “To ensure the ongoing investigation retains public confidence the Cabinet Secretary has recused himself for the remainder of the process,” a Downing Street spokesman said in a statement. “The work will be concluded by Sue Gray, second permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities,” he said. “She will ascertain the facts and present her findings to the Prime …