PM Johnson did not know who paid bill for flat, inquiry hears

Boris Johnson told an official inquiry that he was unaware who paid the bill for his Downing Street flat refurbishment.

A report by the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser found he acted “unwisely” by pursuing the work without knowing how it would be funded, but cleared him of a ministerial code breach.

Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministers’ interests, revealed that the work began when Johnson was in hospital with

COVID-19 in early April 2020. His report also confirms that Johnson wanted to create a trust to help cover the cost of Downing Street upgrades and picked Lord Brownlow, a former Tory vice-chairman, to lead it.

The Conservative Party initially footed the bill. But the report finds that Johnson knew “nothing about” Lord Brownlow personally paying off some invoices after he was named provisional head of the trust.

Johnson lives in the flat above No. 11 Downing Street with his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, and their son, Wilfred. Symonds is credited with helping design the refurbishment. Near the end of his 10-page report, Lord Geidt concludes that there had been “no conflict” of interest for the prime minister in how the refurbishments were paid.

“In respect of the interests arising as a result of these events, I advise that an interest did arise in his capacity as a minister of the Crown,” Lord Geidt wrote. “This is as a result of the support provided by Conservative campaign headquarters and by Lord Brownlow to the prime minister. I have considered the nature of that support and am content that no conflict (or reasonably perceived conflict) arises as a result of these interests.”

He argued that Lord Brownlow had “altruistic and philanthropic motives.”

For months, No. 10 has refused to spell out exactly how refurbishments to the flat above No. 11 were financed, despite reports of donor involvement.

Lord Geidt said that on Oct 20, 2020, Lord Brownlow confirmed to Cabinet Office officials that he had just settled an invoice for the refurbishment works “directly with the suppliers.”

But he concludes that Johnson was not made aware of that fact at the time.