Meeting of party’s ruling body axed amid grassroots backlash at £60k refit for Downing Street flat

A meeting of the Tory party’s ruling body was called off yesterday amid a grassroots backlash over the use of £60,000 of Conservative funds to pay for a makeover of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

Conservative Party co-chairman Ben Elliot was expected to be challenged over the controversy at a long-planned meeting of the party’s board.

But it was called off after party chiefs said there was ‘not enough business to discuss’.

It comes amid mounting Tory protests at the way an estimated £60,000 of party funds was secretly used to help the Prime Minister and fiancee Carrie Symonds pay to refurbish their 11 Downing Street apartment.

Tory donor Lord Brownlow (pictured) secretly reimbursed the party six months ago

Tory donor Lord Brownlow secretly reimbursed the party six months ago. 

It is alleged the party planned to cover up the matter by claiming the cash came from a newly established Downing Street Trust, with Lord Brownlow, below, made chairman by Mr Johnson.

Mr Elliot, a nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall, was due to be put on the spot over the row – dubbed ‘wallpaper-gate’ by Downing Street aides – yesterday. 

A source close to the board said: ‘The party has had to lay off highly valued officials because of a cash crisis caused by the pandemic and should not be spending what little money we have left on the PM’s wallpaper.

‘Too many decisions are made by a small clique of people in the party. Grassroots members have a right to know how their hard-earned cash is spent.’

The total bill for new decor at Mr Johnson’s official flat is said to be a six-figure sum. The PM is said to have sought secret financial aid from party donors after complaining privately the cost was ‘out of control’ and Miss Symonds appeared to have ordered ‘gold wall coverings’. 

Friends say he is feeling ‘broke’ after an expensive divorce from ex-wife Marina and supporting at least six children.

It comes amid Tory protests at the way an estimated £60,000 of party funds was secretly used to help the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds pay to refurb their 11 Downing Street apartment

Mr Johnson is known to have discussed his money troubles with Environment Minister Lord (Zac) Goldsmith, who is close to the PM and Miss Symonds. Lord Goldsmith says he has given money to the party, but not to No 10 directly. 

He declined to say if he has given other financial aid, directly or indirectly, to the Tory leader or Miss Symonds since Mr Johnson won power.

The controversy has also put the spotlight on Liverpool-born Lord Brownlow, 57, who has donated more than £3 million to the Tories since 2005, either personally or through his recruitment firm, Huntswood.

A party spokeman said: ‘Party funds are not being used to pay for any refurbishment to the Downing Street estate. All reportable donations to the Conservative Party are correctly declared to the Electoral Commission, published by them and comply fully with the law.’

The spokesman declined to say if party cash had been used at any stage to help fund the refurbishment. Lord Brownlow declined to comment.