£2.6m for unused Downing St studio

DOWNING Street has spent more than £ .6million on renovations in order to hold White House-style press briefings, it emerged yesterday.

An extensive overhaul within No 9 Downing Street began last year when the Government announced plans to hold the televised briefings. In response to a freedom of information request, the Cabinet Office issued a breakdown of the costs totalling £ ,607,767.67, largely excluding VAT.

It said the funds had been spent to allow daily broadcasting by news organisations within the Grade I listed building.

‘This will necessarily require one-off capital works, including audio-visual equipment, internet infrastructure, electrical works and lighting,’ the response said.

‘This spending is in the public interest as the new broadcasting of lobby briefings will increase public accountability and transparency about the work of this Government now and in the future. Such spending on maintenance and technical facilities reflects that 9 Downing Street (the Privy Council Office) is a Grade I listed building.’

The televised briefings were said to be the brainchild of Boris Johnson’s former adviser Lee Cain. But he reportedly disagreed with the Prime Minister’s choice of former journalist Allegra Stratton as press secretary to lead the briefings as a government spokesman. Mr Cain later left Downing Street, along with former Vote Leave colleague Dominic Cummings, as a power struggle within No 10 spilled out into the open.

The launch of the briefings had been anticipated as early as the autumn, but in January No 10 said they were being delayed.

Under proposals set out in July, an afternoon session will be filmed at 9 Downing Street and will be led by Miss Stratton.

As a politically-appointed special adviser, she will be able to take aim at opponents as well as defend the Government’s actions.