Prime Minister Boris Johnson described his Downing Street flat as "a bit of a tip" to a Tory donor who was paying for the property to be renovated.
A newly disclosed WhatsApp message shows the Prime Minister attempting to hurry Conservative Peer David Brownlow to release funds that would allow a luxury designer to begin work.
The redesign was carried out by designer Lulu Lytle and exceeded £112,500, well above the £30,000 yearly allowance allocated to the Prime Minister.
The "missing exchange" had previously not been shared with the ministerial interests advisor Lord Geidt while he investigated the funding of the works to No 11.
The messages were sent on November 29, 2020.
Mr Johnson said: “Hi David I am afraid parts of our flat are still a bit of a tip and am keen to allow Lulu Lytle to get on with it. Can I possibly ask her to get in touch with you for approvals?”
He received a reply from Lord Brownlow later that day, which said: “Sorry for the delay I was out for a walk and didn’t have my ‘work’ phone with me. Of course, get Lulu to call me and we’ll get it sorted ASAP!”
Lord Brownlow later added: “I should have said, as the Trust isn’t set up yet (will be in January) approval is a doddle as it’s only me and I know where the £ will come from, so as soon as Lulu calls we can crack on.”
Lord Geidt became aware of the message after reading an Electoral Commission report that fined the Conservatives for not following the law over the donations.
He said the affair "shook [his] confidence" because of the "real failures of the process".
