Search icon

News

02nd May 2021

Boris Johnson must quit if he broke ministerial code, Scottish Tory leader says

Charlie Herbert

When asked if the PM should resign if he broke rules, Douglas Ross replied: ‘Of course’

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has said that Boris Johnson should resign if he is found to have broken the ministerial code over his flat makeover.

Johnson has been under pressure in recent days to reveal who provided the initial funding for the costly refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, and whether it was the Tory party which initially covered the cost.

Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday morning, Ross was asked whether the Prime Minister should resign if he is found to have broken the ministerial code. The Scottish Conservatives leader replied: “Of course.”

He went on to say: “I think people expect the highest standards of those in the highest office of the land and that’s why I think people are looking at the investigations that are currently ongoing and waiting for the answers.”

Ross had previously led calls for SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon to resign if she was found to have broken ministerial rules during the Alex Salmond controversy.

Boris Johnson is currently facing up to four inquiries surrounding the funding of his flat makeover, after failing to deny that his party originally funded the refurbishment.

The Independent reports that it is thought the party secretly approved paying a £58,000 bill as long as nine months ago, and that this payment was covered by a wealthy donor.

Ross’s words come after foreign secretary Dominic Raab admitted he had “no idea” if Johnson used a Tory donor to pay his childcare bills as had been claimed. Raab also did not deny that the flat refurbishment cost as much as £200,000, with a second payment sought from an unknown donor to cover the cost.