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LONDON — Britain’s elections watchdog has launched a probe into how Boris Johnson paid for controversial refurbishments to his Downing Street flat.
The Electoral Commission said there were “reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred,” amid reports Johnson was given a donation or loan for the bill before he paid it off himself.
The refurb is one of numerous allegations that have gripped Westminster in recent weeks, after leaks about the lavish work were reported in the Daily Mail. There has been speculation the bill could have been as much as £200,000.
It has been reported that Conservative headquarters paid the Cabinet Office to cover the initial costs and the prime minister is repaying it. The set-up raises questions about reportable donations or loans, as well as tax obligations.
After an assessment of evidence, the Electoral Commission said: “We are now satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred.
“We will therefore continue this work as a formal investigation to establish whether this is the case. The investigation will determine whether any transactions relating to the works at 11 Downing Street fall within the regime regulated by the commission and whether such funding was reported as required.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street confirmed that Lord Christopher Geidt, a former private secretary to the queen, has been appointed as the prime minister’s adviser on ministerial ethics. The role was left vacant for months after the former holder, Alex Alan, resigned when Johnson dismissed his report that concluded Home Secretary Priti Patel bullied staff members.
The government said that Geidt and the prime minister had agreed that he should begin “by ascertaining the facts surrounding the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat and advise the prime minister on any further registration of interests that may be needed.”
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