Welcome inquiry
ONLY a rich Tory who doesn’t know the value of money could be confused about who was behind a £15,000 holiday.
Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds accepted accommodation in St Vincent and the Grenadines following the general election.
Given that the lavish digs were a gift provided to the Prime Minister, he was duty bound to declare it to the House of Commons.
Johnson initially said Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross was the provider but the businessman issued a denial.
It has now emerged that the parliamentary commissioner for standards, Kathryn Stone, has launched an inquiry into Johnson.
This is a welcome development.
Johnson has form for believing the rules don’t apply to him. We hope the watchdog gets to the bottom of this murky business.
BORIS Johnson faces a probe over his Caribbean jaunt after Labour wrote to Parliament’s sleaze watchdog.
The Prime Minister told Commons authorities he’d accepted a £15,000 gift from Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross for his break in St Vincent and the Grenadines with his partner Carrie Symonds.
But there was confusion when Ross denied paying for his villa. Ross later said he’d “facilitated” £15,000 of accommodation.
The Conservative Party donor’s spokesman later clarified his stance, agreeing it was a “benefit in kind” to the PM and Symonds during their private New Year break to the Caribbean shortly after winning the general election in December.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Stone, is reported to have decided to pursue an official inquiry into Johnson and has requested information from the Prime Minister and Ross.
It follows calls from Labour for an inquiry into how the PM came to enjoy the free provision of a fivefigure villa.
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett told Stone that Johnson hadn’t properly registered who made the donation.
He added: “Evidence now suggests it was not David Ross. The entry made by the PM appears incorrect.”
Downing Street declined to comment.