Boris Johnson is said to be set to escape further investigation into the renovation of his Downing Street apartment.
Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone, who oversees the code of conduct and rules for MPs, has reportedly decided not to open another investigation into the controversy following two previous inquiries by the Election Commission and Christopher Geidt, the adviser independent on the interests of ministers.
Number 10 was told of his decision this week, according to The Sunday telegraph.
Conservatives feared that an investigation by Ms Stone could lead to the Prime Minister being suspended from the House of Commons if he was found guilty of violating the parliamentary code of conduct.
Mr Johnson this week faced new sleazy allegations after WhatsApp messages were posted that appeared to show him he was supporting a project proposed by the Tory donor who funded the redecoration of his luxury apartment.
He was also heavily criticized by Lord Geidt for not revealing the messages of his investigation, an omission the ethics counselor called “extraordinary”.
The PM’s aides have reportedly insisted that the renovation, approved for funding by Tory donor Lord Brownlow, did not concern Ms Stone as it did not concern her role as minister.
But Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said Labor had urged Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone to investigate the WhatsApp messages, arguing there were questions about a potential ‘money-for-money’. ‘access’ to which the Prime Minister could respond.
Mr Reed said the text messages ‘mattered enormously’ as they showed Lord Brownlow ‘seems to have access to the Prime Minister because he was paying for the apartment renovations’ in Downing Street.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today program, he said, “If it is, it is corruption.”
“And what we’re seeing here is a case, potentially, of money for access where Lord Brownlow had access to ministers to try to influence them over decisions to spend taxpayers’ money – that’s why this is.” so important.
“These very comfortable texts show that there was a quid pro quo between the Prime Minister and Lord Brownlow, and we have to get to the bottom of this. “
Lord Geidt has also faced calls to reopen his investigation, with Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, saying his decision to close the case “raises a number of serious concerns and questions”.
The ethics adviser’s investigation concluded that Mr Johnson had not violated the ministerial code, but criticized the prime minister for failing to “compile all relevant documents” for his investigation.
The prime minister had blamed a new cell phone number for the failure and was forced to apologize.
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