Boris Johnson spokesman refuses to deny claims donors were asked to pay PM's childcare costs

Boris Johnson's spokesman has refused to deny claims the Prime Minister approached Tory donors to help pay the costs of childcare for his baby son.

The prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters that Johnson “covered the cost” of childcare for Wilfred, his son with fiancee Carrie Symonds.

It was reported in the Sunday papers that a Tory donor was asked to fund the prime minister’s nanny on top of the other “ sleaze” allegations about donors buying influence on Johnson.

The Electoral Commission has already announced an investigation into who paid for the refurbishment of Johnson Downing Street flat in a ‘cash for curtain’s' scandal and there are several other probes in government and in parliament into lobbying and donations.

The prime minister’s spokesman refused to deny reports and would not say whether the PM had approached Tory donors about helping with the costs, or whether he had been given money by donors to then cover the costs.

Boris Johnson with his partner Carrie Symonds (AFP via Getty Images)

Pressed on whether the PM approached donors to pay for childcare, but that the proposal did not end up going ahead, the spokesperson replied:

“What I’m saying is the prime minister has covered all costs of childcare, I’m not adding anymore to that.”

On Monday, Johnson refused to deny the claims while on a visit in Hartlepool, insisting that “all this kind of stuff is, in my view, exclusively for the interest of the Westminster bubble”.

Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, said Number 10’s refusal to deny that a Tory donor was approached implied there has been a cover-up.

She called on Downing Street to publish all the correspondence about attempts to get donors to fund the PM’s lifestyle.

Rayner said: “We are seeing what looks like another cover up from the prime minister.

She added: "Boris Johnson forcing his MPs to vote against free school meals and making stealth cuts to schools at the same time as asking Tory donors to pay for his own childcare is yet more evidence that it’s one rule for him and his mates another for everyone else. What did these donors expect in return for their generosity, and what were they promised?”