Boris Johnson is expected to base himself at Chequers until he leaves power – when he finally returns from holiday.
Removal vans were seen in Downing Street yesterday as the PM prepares to hand over to Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak in three weeks.
Mr Johnson is currently sunning himself in Greece with wife Carrie on his second holiday in quick succession.
However, the couple and their children are unlikely to return to their flat above No11, having preferred to spend most summers at the country retreat. It is understood that Mr Johnson will work from Downing Street, and stay there when necessary.
Allies have denied that Mr Johnson has already ‘thrown in the towel’ on his duties after he was spotted shopping for groceries with his wife Carrie in Nea Makri, a coastal town close to Athens.
Mr Johnson’s father Stanley has a villa a few hours away in Horto.
The jaunt comes hot on the heels of their trip to Slovenia for a belated honeymoon.
Boris and Carrie Johnson with their daughter Romy pictured at Chequers last Christmas
After removal trucks parked outside No10 yesterday, aides confirmed that work was ongoing for the ‘transition’ to the next leader
After removal trucks parked outside No10 yesterday, aides confirmed that work was ongoing for the ‘transition’ to the next leader.
There have been rumours that the Johnsons are shopping for a family home in Dulwich Village in south east London.
The PM is allowed to take away any of the furnishings he paid for himself as part of the controversial revamp of the residence over No11 – which could even include the £800-a-roll gold wallpaper.
Labour jibed that Mr Johnson was ‘laughing’ at Britons who are struggling with a huge cost-of-living crunch, branding him a ‘lame duck’ with just weeks until he is replaced by either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
However, former Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis insisted the PM was still working whether he is in the UK or abroad.
Mr Lewis told LBC: ‘Even when you are not in the office in Downing Street you are working.’
He added: ‘He’s probably in about his second week [of] holiday in the last year or so, certainly this year. So while somebody is away, whether they are secretary of state or let alone the Prime Minister, they will be continuing to work.
‘I can assure you he will still be going through inboxes, he will still be dealing with national security issues where relevant. Being out of the country does not mean the Prime Minister stops working.’
Allies have denied that Mr Johnson has already ‘thrown in the towel’ on his duties after he was spotted shopping for groceries with his wife Carrie in Nea Makri, a coastal town close to Athens