Boris Johnson described Downing Street flat as ‘bit of a tip’ when he asked Tory peer for luxury revamp cash

Boris Johnson described parts of his Downing Street flat as “a bit of a tip” as he asked a Tory peer for funding to pay for a luxury revamp by designer Lulu Lytle.

The Government published a “lost exchange” of messages between the Prime Minister and Lord David Brownlow about the £112,000 refurbishment.

Mr Johnson was accused by Labour of lying when he failed to inform his ethics advisor Lord Geidt about the messages after an investigation was launched into the source of the funding for the makeover.

He texted Lord Brownlow on November 29 to say: “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.”

Lord Brownlow replied: “Of course, get Lulu to call me and we’ll get it sorted ASAP.”

He 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 launched an initial inquiry last Spring, which found the prime minister did not know where the payments for the revamp had come from until “immediately prior” to newspaper reports in February 2021.

But the Conservatives were fined £17,800 in December for not reporting the £52,801 the party received via Lord Brownlow’s company seemingly for the refurb after the messages were uncovered by the Electoral Commission.

Mr Johnson blamed not sharing the WhatsApp message with Lord Geidt’s investigation on having changed phone numbers. He said he “did not have access to my previous device and did not recall the message exchange”.

Lord Geidt cleared Mr Johnson of wrongdoing on Thursday, but said he had acted “unwisely”.

The episode “shook my confidence precisely because potential and real failures of process occurred in more than one part of the apparatus of government”, he said.

The “lost exchange” in full:

29/11/2020, 12:59 The Prime Minister: 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 ? Many thanks and all best BorisPs am on the great exhibition plan Will revert.

29/11/2020, 15:44 Lord Brownlow: Afternoon Prime Minister, I hope you’re both well 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 ! Thanks for thinking about GE2 Best wishes David

29/11/2020, 16:10 Lord Brownlow: 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 - David