Boris Johnson will ‘live’ at his grace-and-favour country mansion for the rest of his premiership, it has been claimed.
The Prime Minister will return from a Greek holiday at the weekend and spend his final two weeks working, No10 said, before he’s replaced on September 6.
But a well-placed source told the Telegraph he will spend “a few nights at most” sleeping in his flat above 11 Downing Street.
Instead he is likely to spend much of his time taking his last chance to use the Prime Minister’s Grade I listed manor in Buckinghamshire.
While No10 refused to confirm his movements, two huge moving vans were spotted parked nose-to-tail outside Downing Street yesterday – suggesting the move had begun.
And the Mirror understands the PM will divide his time between a mixture of Downing Street, Chequers and trips around the country.
(
via REUTERS)
Such a decision would be true to form for the Prime Minister, who has spent many of his quieter moments and weekends since being elected at Chequers – and had originally planned to host his wedding party there.
Earlier his spokesman did not confirm where the Prime Minister would be working from, and if he would be returning to his Downing Street flat, when he gets back from holiday.
Yesterday it emerged ousted Boris Johnson can take lavish furnishings with him from the Downing Street flat – including his gold wallpaper.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman confirmed anything the PM paid for himself in a luxury refurbishment in 2020 could be taken with him.
It’s understood that even includes the £840-a-roll wallpaper sold by designer Lulu Lytle – though it was not immediately clear if he could scrape it off in one piece.
(
Justin Ng / Avalon)
Only things that were paid for by a £28,647 Cabinet Office grant must stay. They included painting and sanding of floorboards.
The other £112,000 in the makeover was originally paid for by a Tory donor but reimbursed by Boris Johnson after a furore.
Revamping the flat above 11 Downing Street – used by PMs as it’s nicer than the two-bed residence above No10 – was said to include a £9,800 Baby Bear sofa and a £3,000 Lily Drum table.
Two big removal trucks – one of which was from the same firm as when the PM moved in – were spotted parked nose-to-tail outside Downing Street.
That sparked speculation about where the pricey furniture would go, because Boris and Carrie Johnson only put their £1.6m south London townhouse up for sale a few days ago.
Reports suggest they are still seeking a £3m home in leafy Dulwich.
Mr Johnson set his out-of-office – metaphorically, at least – over the weekend as he jetted to Greece for his second holiday in two weeks.
(
Getty Images)
The lame duck PM – who last month vowed to “carry on” his “duty” as PM – was seen with wife Carrie shopping for food and wine.
Ally Brandon Lewis denied the PM had “thrown in the towel”, telling LBC: “Even when you are not in the office in Downing Street you are working.”
But the PM’s spokesman said firmly “he’s on leave this week” and would only be making urgent decisions, such as on national security issues.
He confirmed the PM would not be working on his red box and day-to-day work, adding: “He will be contactable, any urgent decisions to be made he will obviously be involved and lead that, but he is on leave.”
Asked why the PM was taking two holidays, rather than waiting until after he is ousted on September 6, the spokesman replied: “I don’t have anything for you on that.”
He added: “Government activity continues over recent weeks. We’ve made a number of significant announcements and we’ll continue to do so in the coming days”.