Labour calls for probe into PM’s £15,000 trip to the Caribbean

Questions asked over who paid for luxury holiday

Labour has formally written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards calling for an investigation into who paid for the prime minister’s £15,000 trip to the Caribbean.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett has penned a letter to Kathryn Stone requesting she look into details of Boris Johnson’s luxury holiday, which took place over the new year.

The senior opposition MP said he remained dissatisfied with the explanations provided by Downing Street.

Confusion reigned following Mr Johnson’s declaration in the register of MPs’ interests that he had accepted “accommodation for a private holiday for my partner and me, value £15,000”, citing businessman David Ross as the provider.

A spokesman for Mr Ross denied on Wednesday that the co-founder of the Carphone Warehouse had stumped up any money.

But the Conservative Party donor’s spokesman has since clarified his stance, agreeing it was a “benefit in kind” to the PM and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds during their private break to the island of Mustique.

Labour, however, has stepped up its calls for a Westminster inquiry into how the PM came to enjoy the free provision of a five-figure villa.

In his letter to the commissioner, Mr Trickett said: “The Code of Conduct requires members to provide the name of the person or organisation that actually funded a donation.

“The evidence now suggests it was not David Ross. The entry made by the prime minister therefore appears to be incorrect.”

He added: “Transparency is crucial to ensuring the public have confidence that elected members of this House have not been unduly influenced by any donations or gifts that they may receive.”

A Downing Street source said much of what was being alleged by Mr Trickett had been made “out of date” by the updated statement by Mr Ross’ spokesman.

In a statement yesterday, a spokesman for Mr Ross said: “Following media reports, I would like to provide further explanation of the benefit in kind Mr Ross provided to Mr Johnson.

“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.”

“The entry made by the prime minister therefore appears to be incorrect. JON TRICKETT