A minister has defended Boris Johnson’s decision to remain the final arbitrator of any standards investigations, including over the renovation of his Downing Street flat.
Nadhim Zahawi insisted it is “only right” that the newly appointed ministerial standards adviser reports to the Prime Minister as Labour criticised the arrangement for meaning Mr Johnson “effectively marks his own homework”.
Lord Geidt’s review into whether any donations for the refurbishments in No 11 were properly declared became one of three under way after the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation, saying there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect an offence.
Downing Street has said Mr Johnson would be “happy” to assist the watchdog’s inquiries into who initially paid for the work and whether any donation was properly declared, as the Prime Minister insisted he has not broken any laws or rules.
Nadhim Zahawi defended the Prime Minister A TORY minister has defended Boris Johnson’s decision to remain the final arbitrator of any standards investigations, including over the renovation of his Downing Street flat. Nadhim Zahawi insisted it is “only right” that the newly-appointed ministerial standards adviser reports to the Prime Minister as Labour criticised the arrangement for meaning Johnson “effectively marks his own homework”. Lord Geidt’s review into whether any donations for the refurbishments were properly declared became one of three under way after the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation, saying there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect an offence.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells reporters he loves John Lewis during a visit to a school in Marylebone
Boris Johnson has said he does not believe there is anything to see despite the Electoral Commission saying there are reasonable grounds to suspect an offence as it launched a formal inquiry over the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.
The prime minister told reporters during a visit to a school in west London: We will comply with whatever they want and I don’t think there is anything to see here, or to worry about.
The probe will seek to establish who initially paid for the work and whether any donation was properly declared.
A minister has defended Boris Johnson’s decision to remain the final arbitrator of any standards investigations, including over the renovation of his Downing Street flat.
Nadhim Zahawi insisted it is “only right” that the newly appointed ministerial standards adviser reports to the Prime Minister as Labour criticised the arrangement for meaning Mr Johnson “effectively marks his own homework”.
Lord Geidt’s review into whether any donations for the refurbishments in No 11 were properly declared became one of three under way after the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation, saying there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect an offence.
Downing Street has said Mr Johnson would be “happy” to assist the watchdog’s inquiries into who initially paid for the work and whether any donation was properly declared, as the Prime Minister insisted he has not broken any laws or rules.
Boris Johnson has criticised questions over the lavish refurbishment of his Downing Street flat as a “farrago of nonsense” as he vowed to comply with the Electoral Commission investigation.
The Prime Minister said on Thursday that “I don’t think there’s anything to see here” despite the watchdog saying there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect an offence as it launched a formal inquiry.
The probe will seek to establish who initially paid for the work and whether any donation was properly declared amid suggestions he was given a loan from the Conservative Party.
Investigators can demand documents and information, and could potentially seek a statutory interview with the Prime Minister as part of the process.