PM’s dad cashes in with ‘Covid-proof’ Greek villa
BORIS Johnson’s father could be set to rake in up to £17,500 from his Greek villa if it is fully booked until the end of September.
Sun-loving Britons looking to escape from the coronavirus lockdown have snapped up stays in Stanley’s holiday home.
The Prime Minister’s 79-year-old father caused a furore when he dodged restrictions on British holidaymakers wanting to fly to Greece by entering via Bulgaria.
The Government advises against all but essential travel but Mr Johnson claims he needed to “Covid-proof” his villa before the pandemic-blighted tourist season.
The Greek government lifted a ban on British tourists flying in directly last week and they can avoid quarantine when they return thanks to the “air bridge”.
Former I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant Stanley’s villa by the Aegean Sea is booked until September 19.
Fantastic
And according to his agent Real Holidays, the Villa Irene in Pelion is “definitely available” for the week of September 26.
A staff member said: “The price for the villa at that time of year is £1,750 per week.”
Mr Johnson reportedly rents the property for £2,100 a week in peak season.
If he charged top whack for five weeks and then the reduced rate in September, the Prime Minister’s father would bank £17,500.
But outside the villa, Mr Johnson said: “You would be completely wrong to say this figure of £17,000 – that’s just total nonsense.
“Don’t forget the agent takes the cut, she confirmed the money I stand to receive would be £8,500.
“There is one booking for a few days at the beginning of September and then for the rest of September my wife and I are staying.
“It’s just slightly irritating. Apart from anything else the actual costs of running a place, by the time you’ve picked the olives and managed the pool and the cleaning…
“Nobody is going there at all until the 1st of August now.
“So you have got four weeks in August, one week at the beginning of September and that’s it
“Also, if you think how much it costs to run a villa for a whole year. This has been quite a bad year.
“The Greek government made it absolutely clear when I arrived was entirely within their rules.
“I, in fact, did have a serious reason.”
Mr Johnson said he had had only a week to “get everything organised”.
He said: “I came back at the earliest possible opportunity I could, which was July 10 because that was the first time I was allowed
Iback without quarantine.
“I’ve got a whole load of instructions about how to make the place Covid-proof.
“I have rung the agent and they have just confirmed to me that we have bookings in August and we’ve got one booking at the beginning of September and that’s it.
“People are longing to get here… facing
In the swim... Stanley Johnson with the PM, above, and left, at his villa which he claims will earn him £8,500 this summer
two weeks’ how could you be here and not look around at this fantastic place?”
Pitching the villa, Real Holidays said: “The main bedroom is upstairs with lovely views to the sea and the other three bedrooms are downstairs and are a bit simpler.
“The main living room and kitchen are upstairs and there is a lovely balcony which makes most of the view and is a great spot for breakfast.
“There is also a table downstairs which has an awning so is a good place to have a shaded lunch.
“I have been at the end of September and the sea is definitely still lovely and warm so great for swimming.”
The Prime Minister has refused to condemn his father’s trip, saying: “I am not going to get into details of family conversations.”