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County court judgment against Boris Johnson, record shows No 10 seeks to cancel county court debt judgment against Boris Johnson
(32 minutes later)
A county court judgment has been registered against Boris Johnson's name for an unpaid debt of £535. Downing Street is seeking to cancel a county court judgment against Prime Minister Boris Johnson, citing an unpaid bill of £535.
The court order, which names Mr Johnson, of 10 Downing Street, was made on 26 October, according to a database of judgments. The order was made against Mr Johnson, of 10 Downing Street, on 26 October, according to a judgment database.
The creditor and nature of the debt, which was first reported by Private Eye magazine, is not yet known.The creditor and nature of the debt, which was first reported by Private Eye magazine, is not yet known.
A Downing Street source said it was a "totally unfounded claim which has absolutely no basis whatsoever". A Downing Street spokesperson said the claim against the PM was without merit.
The source added: "We're urgently looking into how this got to court in the first place and are moving to have it struck out." "An application will be made for an order to set aside the default judgment, to strike out the claim and for a declaration that the claim is totally without merit," the spokesperson added.
Watchdog to investigate PM's flat renovationsWatchdog to investigate PM's flat renovations
What is the row over Boris Johnson's flat about?What is the row over Boris Johnson's flat about?
County court judgments are issued in England and Wales when people fail to repay money they owe.County court judgments are issued in England and Wales when people fail to repay money they owe.
"If you get a judgment, this means that the court has formally decided that you owe the money," according to a government website."If you get a judgment, this means that the court has formally decided that you owe the money," according to a government website.
A bailiff "may visit your home if you do not pay your debts", the website warns.A bailiff "may visit your home if you do not pay your debts", the website warns.
Banks and loan companies can also use the information to decide whether to issue credit or loans.Banks and loan companies can also use the information to decide whether to issue credit or loans.
"If you're late with your payments, you could be taken back to court and you may have to pay extra costs," the website adds."If you're late with your payments, you could be taken back to court and you may have to pay extra costs," the website adds.
Flat renovationsFlat renovations
The prime minister's personal finances have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.The prime minister's personal finances have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.
In particular, he has faced questions about how renovations to the flat, above 11 Downing Street, that he shares with fiancee Carrie Symonds were paid for.In particular, he has faced questions about how renovations to the flat, above 11 Downing Street, that he shares with fiancee Carrie Symonds were paid for.
He has insisted he personally paid for the work, but has declined to say whether he received an initial loan.He has insisted he personally paid for the work, but has declined to say whether he received an initial loan.
The Electoral Commission is investigating whether any spending on the flat falls within its remit, and whether any donation to the Conservative Party was properly declared.The Electoral Commission is investigating whether any spending on the flat falls within its remit, and whether any donation to the Conservative Party was properly declared.
The prime minister's spokesman said the court judgment had nothing to do with the Downing Street estate refurbishment, saying: "All bills have been paid by the government or the prime minister, personally." Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister's spokesman said the court judgment had nothing to do with the Downing Street estate refurbishment, saying: "All bills have been paid by the government or the prime minister, personally."
Asked if Number 10 had only become aware of the judgment when it was first reported earlier on Wednesday, the spokesman said it was something they are "looking into currently".Asked if Number 10 had only become aware of the judgment when it was first reported earlier on Wednesday, the spokesman said it was something they are "looking into currently".
And on being asked whether there should be concerns about the prime minister's personal finances, Mr Johnson's press secretary said: "You should not be concerned, no."And on being asked whether there should be concerns about the prime minister's personal finances, Mr Johnson's press secretary said: "You should not be concerned, no."