Town businessman David Ross to give evidence in BoJo’s holiday investigation
GRIMSBY-BORN business tycoon, David Ross, is to give evidence into an investigation into who funded a £15,000 holiday enjoyed by Boris Johnson after his 2019 General Election victory.
Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds flew to the Caribbean island of Mustique for a holiday between December, 26 2019 and January 5, 2020.
Now The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is investigating who paid for the luxury break. Mr Johnson said at the time Tory donor David Ross, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, funded the luxury villa, reports Mirror Online. The MPs’ Register of Interests stated the accommodation had a “value” of £15,000 and was covered by Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross.
But Mr Ross first said he did not pay for the villa, he just helped arrange it.
The Grimsby-born businessman later issued a clarification saying the register “is correct” and he had “facilitated accommodation”. A spokesman for the businessman told The Mirror: “Mr Ross facilitated accommodation for Mr Johnson on Mustique valued at £15,000. “Therefore this is a benefit in kind from Mr Ross to Mr Johnson, and Mr Johnson’s declaration to the House of Commons is correct.”
New transparency rules mean the Parliamentary Commissioner for
Standards has to publicly state whom she is investigating for potential breaches of the MPs’ Code of Conduct.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “All transparency requirements have been followed, as set out in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.”
Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds, who announced their engagement less than three months later, stayed on a villa on the island, part of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Moroccan-style stone villa had six double bedrooms, three private swimming pools, two bars, a library and four dedicated staff - a butler, chef, gardener and housekeeper.
It has three ornamental ponds, a gazebo and three 4x4s to explore the 1,400-acre private island.
The villa has four-poster beds,
open-air terraces overlooking stunning views and a swimming pool. It comes just a month after questions were raised over who paid for the £58,000 refurbishment of a flat above No10 Downing Street.
Commissioner Kathryn Stone will examine the evidence in relation to the Code of Conduct for MPs which states: “Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.
“They shall always be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its Committees, and in any communications with Ministers, Members, public officials or public office holders.” MPs must declare gifts and hospitality they get within 28 days on the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, with any serious breaches can result in suspension.
Mr Ross, a chartered accountant is son of the late John Ross, a pioneering Grimsby businessman .