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No 10 seeks to cancel county court debt judgment against Boris Johnson | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Downing Street is seeking to cancel a county court judgment against Prime Minister Boris Johnson, citing an unpaid bill of £535. | |
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 spokesperson said the claim against the PM was without merit. | |
"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 renovations | Watchdog 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 renovations | Flat 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. |
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." |