Johnson faces watchdog probe over luxury holiday

LONDON: Britain’s parliamentary standards watchdog confirmed on Monday it is investigating Prime Minister Boris Johnson over how he paid for a luxury Caribbean holiday, the latest of multiple probes into his conduct.

Kathryn Stone, the current Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, is looking into the controversial trip to the privately owned island of Mustique over Christmas 2019 by the UK leader and his fiancee Carrie Symonds.

Johnson, who was buoyed by successful local election results in England last week, has long been dogged by questions about the holiday.

In the register of MPs’ interests, he claimed the 15,000 ($21,200, 17,400 euros) trip was provided by David Ross, a businessman and donor to his ruling Conservative party.

However there was confusion after Ross initially denied handing over any money, and later clarified that it was a “benefit in kind”. Johnson’s spokesman reiterated on Monday that the British premier had followed the rules throughout.

“The prime minister transparently declared this benefit in kind in the Commons register of interests,” he said. “Clearly the rules are set out and it’s important that everyone abides by them.” Meanwhile a spokesman for Ross said in a statement he had “facilitated accommodation” for Johnson on Mustique which was valued at 15,000.

“Therefore this is a benefit in kind from Mr Ross to Mr Johnson, and Mr Johnson’s declaration to the House of Commons is correct.”

‘Lavish lifestyle’

The luxury trip is one of a host of controversies swirling around the British leader that have sparked multiple investigations by watchdogs and scrutiny agencies.

They include a probe by the Electoral Commission, which regulates the accounts of political parties, into who initially footed the bill for a reported 200,000 (230,000 euros) refurbishment of Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

The parliamentary commissioner — an independent figure — investigates allegations that MPs have breached parliamentary code of conduct rules, which include correctly declaring financial interests and gifts.