The refurb took place after Johnson’s wife, Carrie, took a dislike to the decorations inherited from Theresa May. Reports described the flat as a “John Lewis furniture nightmare”.
The work was reportedly overseen by top designer Lulu Lytle and included £840-a-roll gold wallpaper, which keeps peeling off.
For months, government officials remained silent about how it was funded, despite speculation about a ‘phantom’ donation. Today’s report now confirms a long trail of financial transactions were used to cover the costs.
Money trail
The refurb was originally funded by the Cabinet Office in summer 2020 – under the condition that the money would be repaid by the Conservative Party.
After the money was refunded, the Conservative Party turned to one of its major donors, Lord Brownlow, who agreed to cover the costs. Money was given via Brownlow’s company, Huntswood Associates Limited.
In March, openDemocracy revealed how the prime minister was breaching transparency rules by allowing large payments to be kept secret for up to eight months.
The following month, it emerged that the Conservative Party may have also broken election law by failing to properly declare the donation.
Finally, the party confirmed that Johnson had “personally settled the costs incurred by Lord Brownlow”.
The prime minister also charged taxpayers £28,647 for part of the refurb, including painting and sanding his floorboards.
WhatsApp messages
Earlier this year, a report by Johnson’s ethics adviser named Lord Brownlow as being behind the donation.
It went on to claim that “the Prime Minister… confirms that he knew nothing about such payments [from Lord Brownlow] until immediately prior to media reports in February 2021.”
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