Boris Johnson faces request for inquiry into funding for Downing Street apartment renovations amid ‘it stinks’ claims | Political news

An investigation is underway into how Boris Johnson financed the renovation of his Downing Street apartment following the inflammatory allegations by his former chief adviser Dominic Cummings.

In a bomb blog post, Mr. Cummings accused his former boss of planning an “unethical, senseless, possibly illegal” plan to get conservative donors to secretly fund the work.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said “it stinks”, while a former Conservative government lawyer also waded into the row to call for transparency and branding. Mr. Johnson “a vacuum of integrity”.

The government first said on Friday that the prime minister paid redesign, reportedly cost £ 200,000, out of his own pocket.

But critics say Mr Johnson needs to explain how he got the money in the first place to pay for the review overseen by his fiancee. Carrie Symonds, and if there were any conflicts of interest, arising amid the continuing lobbying scandal in Westminster.

In the meantime, the Election Commission said it was still seeking answers from the Conservative Party on whether monies relating to works should have been declared under the Political Donations Act.

As Labor called for an investigation into the allegations, Sir Keir said: “It’s important. It’s about integrity, it’s about taxpayer money. Every day there is more and more evidence of this harassment.

“If there is nothing to see here, whether it is the renovation of n ° 10, whether it is questionable contracts, whether it is privileged access, if there is nothing to see, everything publish, do a full investigation.

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

Former Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, told Sky News: “I have always been of the opinion on home renovations, that you …