Boris and Carrie Johnson are seen in the garden of 10 Downing Street after their wedding in London, Britain, on May 29, 2021. Picture taken May 29, 2021. Rebecca Fulton/Pool via R
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LONDON, July 8 (R) – Britain’s Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie are changing the location of a planned wedding party, an ally of the Prime Minister said on Friday, denying allegations that he stayed in a caretaker role because of it.
The Mirror newspaper reported on Thursday that Johnson, who has announced he is stepping down, wanted to stay on for a few more months in part because he planned to throw a party at his official Checkers country home later this month to mark his wedding to celebrate.
An ally of the prime minister said on condition of anonymity that “it is absolutely ridiculous to suggest” the party plan is a reason for Johnson to remain in a caretaker role. The party wouldn’t be at Checkers anymore.
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When asked about the report on Thursday, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is in place, just to continue his commitment to the public.”
In addition to their official residence at 10 Downing Street in London, British Prime Ministers have traditionally used Checkers, a 16th-century English country house north of the capital, as a personal country retreat, a place to receive world leaders and occasionally throw parties be able.
Johnson married 34-year-old Carrie last year in a low-key, secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in central London amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple’s Checkers wedding celebration was scheduled for July 30.
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Reporting by Elizabeth Piper Edited by Kate Holton and Peter Graff
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