BORIS Johnson has been accused of creating “a stench more powerful than a used nappy” after Number 10 refused to deny reports that he asked Tory donors to cough up for his son’s nanny.
The Conservative leader’s official spokesperson said merely that he “covered the cost” of childcare – but refused to say where the cash came from.
It comes after Johnson himself, during a visit to Hartlepool ahead of a key by-election, refused to give a direct answer to questions about funding for his nanny and the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. He told reporters that this “stuff is, in my view, exclusively for the interest of the Westminster bubble”.
The SNP are now demanding that the Prime Minister publish his bank statements, all information and correspondence relating to the Downing Street refurbishment and other donation solicitations, income and expenditure.
MP Pete Wishart said: “Boris Johnson must tell the truth over nanny-gate and the allegations being made of misconduct, impropriety and illegality.
“The Tory sleaze scandal is growing worse every day but instead of owning up and clearing the air the Prime Minister has created a stench more powerful than a used nappy.”
He added: “The latest revelations show the Tories are completely out of touch with millions of ordinary families who are struggling to get by thanks to Tory cuts – and can’t rely on Tory donors to fund lavish lifestyles.
“There must be a full independent public inquiry to get to the bottom of the Tory sleaze allegations, including Boris Johnson’s dodgy donor schemes, and why Tory friends have been handed multi-million pound contracts, special access, tax breaks and peerages like they were sweeties by this Tory government.”
The Electoral Commission has confirmed it is investigating who paid for the refurbishment of Johnson and Carrie Symond’s flat amid claims that Tory donors were asked for help with the costs.
Two parliamentary probes are also looking into lobbying and party donations at Westminster.
READ MORE: Downing Street refuses to deny claims PM asked Tory donors to fund childcare costs
Asked about the childcare reports, first published over the weekend, Johnson’s spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has covered all the costs of all childcare and I’ve got nothing more to add to that.”
the Electoral Commission confirmed it would be investigating who paid for the refurbishment of Johnson and Carrie Symond’s flat amid claims that Tory donors were asked for help with the costs.
There are several probes ongoing into lobbying and party donations at Westminster.
Asked about the childcare reports, first published over the weekend, Johnson’s spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has covered all the costs of all childcare and I’ve got nothing more to add to that.”
The childcare story first emerged at the weekend as the Sunday Times reported Johnson wanted a nanny fund, allegedly complaining he needed more than £300,000 a year to pay for living costs. As PM Johnson currently earns £157,372.
A donor allegedly told an MP: “I don’t mind paying for leaflets but I resent being asked to pay to literally wipe the Prime Minister’s baby’s bottom.”
The newspaper also claimed Tory chiefs paid for the Prime Minister’s £165-an-hour personal trainer and a personal chef when he was in hospital with coronavirus.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab dismissed the claims as “gossip” during an appearance on Sky News on Sunday.
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