The British Electoral Commission concluded Thursday that the Prime Minister’s party had received a private gift of more than 67,000 pounds for the renovation of his home. Only 15,000 pounds have been declared as a gift by the party.
Le Monde with AFP
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recalled to the Order, Thursday, December 9, about the costly renovation of his home in Downing Street, funded by a private gift. The electoral commission, regulator of political parties’ accounts, imposed a fine of 16,250 pounds (nearly 19,000 euros) to the party of Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party, so as not to declare the total amount of a donation perceived for Finance this renovation. The electoral commission added another fine, from 1,550 pounds (about 1,800 euros), for breaking the obligation to hold appropriate accounting registers.
The Commission had launched an investigation in April to examine any offenses related to the work carried out in the apartment that Boris Johnson occupies with his wife Carrie Symonds and their son – joined by their daughter, whose birth was announced Thursday – At 11 Downing Street, more spacious than the 10th, seat of his official residence.
Boris Johnson had said that they respected the rules
It concluded Thursday that the Conservative Party had received a donation of 67,801.72 pounds sterling (more than 79 000 euros) of Huntswood Associates Limited, a company led by a close party, in October 2020, ” 52 801,72 pounds [nearly 62,000 euros] had to cover the cost of three bills for the renovation of Downing Street “. On this amount, only 15,000 pounds have been declared as a gift by the party. However, “the total amount of the 67,801.72 pounds was a donation and should have been reported to the Commission,” said the Commission.
Attacked by the opposition on the financing of this work, Boris Johnson had insured in Parliament last April he had “paid personally the renovation”, without clarifying that he had received a donation then reimbursed. He said respected the rules. “The Prime Minister acted in accordance with the rules at any time,” and he did “all the necessary statements”, said his spokesman on Thursday.
In May, a report from the Government Advisor to ensure compliance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct concluded that the British Prime Minister had made the apartment in “imprudent way”, without worrying about financing the work, but however, he did not commit any fault.
Already questioned for its dangerous links with the business world, the government of Boris Johnson is also in the turmoil as a result of press information showing a party organized shortly before Christmas 2020 in Downing Street, In defiance of the restrictions put in place against the pandemic of Covid-19.