Politics

Boris Johnson faces court ruling over mysterious unpaid debt

Boris Johnson is facing a a court judgement over an unpaid debt of £535, it has emerged.

Listings of county court judgements for last October include a ruling against “Boris Johnson, 10 Downing Street”, Private Eye magazine revealed.

The record showed that the debt is still “unsatisfied” more than six months later. No details of the nature of the unpaid debt or the identity of the creditor have been revealed.

Wrangles over unpaid debts rarely reach the county court, unless considerable effort is made to secure payment.

Johnson appears to have incurred the debt on 26 October – around the time that news of his problems funding the lavish refurbishment of his 11 Downing Street flat, at a cost of £200,000, were revealed.

There are a number of investigations and inquiries currently looking into allegations of wrongdoing by Johnson, before and after he became prime minister. 

Earlier this week, it emerged that he remains under investigation by the Commons “sleaze” watchdog over his controversial new year break in Mustique 16 months ago.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone has confirmed for the first time that she is inquiring into whether the prime minister properly declared the £15,000 stay on the luxury Caribbean hideaway.

Johnson appears on a list of nine MPs currently under investigation by the commissioner published under new Commons rules. Only one inquiry predates that into the prime minister.

Previously the commissioner was not permitted to say whether she was inquiring into a complaint against an MP.

In the Register of Members’ Interests, Johnson declared the stay with his fiancee Carrie Symonds as a “benefit in kind” from Carphone Warehouse founder, David Ross, who has a villa on the island.

The disclosure that the commissioner’s inquiry is still ongoing comes as the Prime Minister continues to face questions over how the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat was paid for.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “The public have a right to know who paid for Boris Johnson’s luxury Caribbean holiday and the renovation of his flat.

“Most importantly, we need to know what these donors were promised or expected in return for their generosity.

“As we have seen over the last year, Tory donors have received a very high return on their investment in the form of government contracts.

“Boris Johnson needs to stop using the office of Prime Minister as an opportunity to fund his lavish lifestyle and enrich his mates.”

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Henry Goodwin

Henry is a reporter with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. He read History at the University of Cambridge and has a Masters in Newspaper Journalism from City, University of London. Follow him on Twitter: @HenGoodwin.

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