It would be "churlish" to prevent Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie from having a wedding bash at Chequers, a senior Tory has said.
The new Education Secretary James Cleverly said a new Prime Minister should let the Johnsons have a party at the grace and favour mansion - even if Mr Johnson is gone by then.
The Mirror revealed the couple had planned a lavish event later this month to mark their marriage - and the do was part of the reason Mr Johnson wanted to cling on in Downing Street.
Mr and Mrs Johnson tied the knot in front of just a handful of guests at a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in May 2021.
They celebrated with a small do in the Downing Street garden with only 30 guests allowed because of Covid restrictions in place at the time.
Two sources told the Mirror that the couple were keen to go ahead with the party on July 30, to which they have invited many of their family and friends.
But allies of the PM dismissed the suggestion that it had played a role in Mr Johnson's decision to cling on, saying he wanted to stay on as caretaker out of a sense of duty to guide the country until a new leader is found.
Mr Cleverly was asked if the Johnsons should still be allowed to have the lavish party if a new PM has been appointed, which would mean Chequers was in someone else's hands.
He told the Today programme: "I think that if that is done by that point in time, I suspect that it would be a rather generous action of the new Prime Minister to allow that to go ahead.
"Private functions like that do not impose a burden on the public purse."
He went on: "Like so many people - many, many people across the country had their wedding plans and celebrations disrupted because of Covid.
"I think it's churlish to be negative about two people who want to celebrate their marriage and their love for each other.
"Other people are doing it in their own ways around the country."
Mr Cleverly admitted he hadn't been invited to the bash.
The PM would have to cancel the wedding party if he leaves office immediately.
One Tory source told the Mirror: "It beggars belief that even after all the criticism Johnson has faced regarding integrity and probity, one of the reasons he is staying is to have his wedding party at Chequers.
"It's a national asset not his personal home. The Johnsons should do the decent thing and find a different venue. And Boris should do the decent thing and leave No 10 immediately".
A second insider added: "It's crass if it goes ahead."
But a spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The PM has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is in place solely to continue his obligation to the public."
Chequers is a a 16th Century mansion, which costs taxpayers nearly £1million a year, with a heated indoor swimming pool, putting green and 1,500 acres of grounds.
It was donated to the nation in 1917 by Lord and Lady Lee of Fareham as a “place of rest and recreation for Prime Ministers”.
