Boris Johsnon has announced that he will step down as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party.
But he’s expected to remain in a caretaker role until autumn as the party selects a new leader.
Senior Tories have claimed one reason he’s clinging onto the role is so that he still has time to host a lavish party at Chequers to celebrate his and wife Carrie’s marriage.
The couple married in 2021 but could only have a reception attended by 30 people due to Covid rules at the time.
Sources have told the Mirror that Johnson and Carrie had been planning a glamorous affair for July 30.
One 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."
Now a No10 source has confirmed that there has been a change of venue after Johnson faced backlash for the proposed Chequers party.
Here’s everything you need to know about the grace-and-favour country home that he planned to use and his time there.
What is Chequers?
Chequers is one of the three stately grace-and-favour ministerial homes and is the countryside residence of the UK’s sitting Prime Minister.
Located in the Buckinghamshire countryside, the Chequers estate boasts 1,000 acres of land and the mansion house features 10 bedrooms and a heated pool.
The house is also home to a vast art collection, with 190 pieces dating from the early 16th century.
Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol once said that Chequers was like a "boutique hotel, albeit with top-level security".
Who owns Chequers?
Chequers has been in public hands since 1917.
The estate was donated to the British government by former minister Sir Arthur Lee and his American heiress wife, Ruth.
After the First World War, Lee felt that UK Prime Ministers should have a lavish countryside retreat to be able to host dignitaries but recognised that the changing face of politics meant that not all future PMs would be wealthy enough to own their own rural retreats.
The ownership of the vast estate now technically falls under the Chequer's Trust.
The Chequers Estate Act 1917 designated Chequers as the official country residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
It’s not open to the general public so only the sitting Prime Minister and those who they have invited can visit or stay at the property.
Famous people who have visited Chequers include the Queen, David Bowie, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Boris and Carrie's time at Chequers and ‘row’ with staff
Boris and Carrie have regularly been in residence at Chequers during Johnson’s three years as Prime Minister.
The pair even continued to travel to the Buckinghamshire mansion throughout the first lockdown.
In April 2020, Johnson and Carrie isolated at Chequers while the PM recovered from Covid after being hospitalised.
But it’s been reported that staff at Chequers haven’t been too happy with Johnson and Carrie for one main reason - their dog.
The Daily Mail said that their terrier Dilyn had caused a row with staff at Chequers because of his behaviour.
A government source said: “Dilyn is not popular with staff at Chequers. He causes havoc, gnawing at the furniture and soiling the carpets which have to be cleared up.”
And it’s believed that Johnson even had to foot a four-figure bill for damages to the Chequers home after Dilyn chewed antique furniture.
Another source told them that during a meeting, the dog “darted under the PM’s feet with an old book in its mouth”.
And Johnson proceeded to shout: “For God’s sake, I’m going to get another £1,000 repair bill! Someone please shoot that f**king dog!”, according to the source, who added: “I don’t think he meant it literally.”
Can Boris Johnson still stay at Chequers?
If Boris Johnson resigned with immediate effect then he would no longer be the sitting Prime Minister and would therefore no longer have access to Chequers. Instead the country residence would be passed onto the next PM.
However, Johnson has said that he will only step down when a new Conservative leader is found and that he will stay on till autumn.
This means that he can continue to enjoy the benefits of being PM until then, including the use of the lavish Chequers estate.
