‘Nothing untoward' about Johnson's discussions with donor, says Tory minister

The PM is facing fresh sleaze allegations after messages come to light (PA)

- JON STONE and ASHLEY COWBURN

There is “nothing untoward” about Boris Johnson discussing policy with a Tory donor who paid for his flat refurb, a government minister has said.

Labour has called for a new investigation into the prime minister after text messages emerged between him and Lord Brownlow.

The conversations show the PM called parts of his Downing Street residence a “tip” and promised to look into the donor’s proposal for a “great exhibition” while negotiating payments for the refurb.

Mr Johnson apologised on Thursday for not giving the texts to his independent ethics adviser Christopher Geidt during a previous probe.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner wrote to Lord Geidt yesterday raising “serious questions and concerns” about the Brownlow texts and urging him to revise his earlier report – written before he was informed of their existence.

She said the messages threw into doubt the adviser’s previous assessment that there was “no reasonably perceived conflict” in the PM’s reliance on the Tory donor to assist with funding his flat renovations.