Chequers
(Picture: PA Archive)Boris and Carrie Johnson have moved their wedding party from the Prime Minister’s country mansion to another location following backlash.
Access to Chequers was reported to be one of the reasons Mr Johnson wanted to stay in Number 10 until the end of the summer, despite resigning on Thursday.
This was fiercely denied by allies who said that he wanted to stay on until a new Tory leader was appointed out of a sense of duty.
Sources confirmed on Friday that the event would not be held at Chequers.
Before the announcement, new Education Secretary James Cleverly said the Prime Minister and his wife, should be allowed to use Chequers for the bash, even though Mr Johnson has resigned.
Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Private functions like that do not impose a burden on the public purse.
“I think it’s churlish to be negative about two people who want to celebrate their marriage and their love for each other.”
According to reports in the Mirror newspaper Mr Johnson wanted to stay on as Prime Minister so he could go ahead with the party at Chequers on July 30.
Allies of Mr Johnson dismissed the suggestion that it had played any role in his decision to cling on to power until a new leader was found.
Mr Cleverly, who was appointed to the cabinet on Thursday, added: "Like so many people across the country [they] had their wedding plans and celebrations disrupted because of Covid.
"Other people are doing it in their own ways around the country."
He added that he had not been invited to the party.
