Ethics Boss Rages At PM's Lost Texts

Questions over chat with peer on Noll refurb

- Mikey Smith

Boris Johnson faces more serious questions over his Downing Street flat refurbishment after a furious letter from his ethics chief revealed explosive new text messages.

The missing” messages reveal Mr Johnson had declared the flat above Noll a bit of a tip” - and asked Lord Brownlow to release more donor cash for a £112,000 refurbishment.

And they reveal the PM promised Lord Brownlow he would consider his plan for a second Great Exhibition.

Labour said the exchange appeared to be corruption, plain and simple”.

Lord Brownlow gave the texts to an Electoral Commission probe, but they were withheld from Lord Geidt, the PM's adviser on the ministerial code.

In a scorching letter, Lord Geidt said the failure to provide them was “plainly unsatisfactory”, demonstrated insufficient respect” and presented a threat to public confidence in his job.