Boris Johnson 'setting up charity to fund redecoration of Downing Street'

Boris Johnson is reportedly setting up a charity to help cover the cost of renovations in Downing Street through private donations.

The idea is similar to a setup in America that US presidents often use to make changes to the decor in the White House.

The Prime Minister has approached Lord Brownlow, a financier and former vice chairman of the Conservative Party, to run the charity, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper also reported that Carrie Symonds, Mr Johnson’s fiancee, has been involved in the decor changes and that the cost of the refurbishment could be tens of thousands of pounds.

The Charity Commission said it was not aware of any application to set up a Downing Street charity, with a submission likely needed if such an entity was created.

A No 10 spokesman said: "The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two ministerial residences.

“As has been the case under successive administrations, refurbishments and maintenance are made periodically.

“Matters concerning works on the Downing Street estate, including the residences, are covered in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.”

Asked specifically about the creation of a charity, Lord Brownlow’s reported role and a possible Charity Commission application, the spokesman declined to comment further.

Renovations in Downing Street are not unusual when a new Prime Minister comes into office, with many of Mr Johnson’s predecessors overseeing changes.

The Mail reported that the charity would be expected to secure Tory donations to help cover the cost of renovations inside No 10 and No 11.

The charity’s official purpose would be to preserve both buildings for the nation on heritage grounds, the paper reported.

No 10 and No 11 Downing Street have for many generations been the private offices of the Prime Minister, in the former, and the Chancellor, in the latter.

In recent years it has been common for the Prime Minister to use the flat above No 11 as a private residence, given it is larger than the No 10 flat.

Changing the decor of both addresses has become a common feature of recent Prime Ministers, many of whom have lived with children there in the last 20 years.

The Cabinet Office reportedly sets a rough cap on the amount of taxpayer money that is allowed to be spent on such refurbishments of around £30,000.

David Cameron, when he oversaw decor changes in the No 11 flat while prime minister, is believed to have personally covered a substantial amount of the £100,000 cost.

The exact cost of the changes currently underway is unclear. The Mail quoted sources saying Mr Johnson had said at different times the cost could be “tens and tens of thousands” or “over a hundred grand”. Those figures could not be verified by this newspaper.

Lulu Lytle, one of the country's most successful interiors experts, reportedly was the inspiration behind some of the decor changes proposed.

She runs the Soane Britain interior design studio, which she set up, and is known for using fabrics sometimes dating back three centuries.

Lord Brownlow is an entrepreneur and financier who entered the Lords in 2019. He declined to comment, according to the Mail, and could not be reached for comment last night.

Mr Johnson hinted that he could marry Ms Symonds, with whom he has a baby, this summer when the restrictions on large weddings currently in place during the Covid lift.

Asked if he was preparing a wedding this summer, Mr Johnson told The Sun: “The wedding industry is certainly gonna come roaring back in common with many other sectors of the economy.”