In the 10-page report on ministers’ interests, Lord Geidt (below) concluded there was “no conflict” of interests for the Prime Minister as part of how the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat was carried out and paid for.

In the report - released today after months of delay - Geidt said there was a “significant failing” from officials in how “rigorous” they were at examining the idea of setting up a trust to fund renovations to Downing Street.

And he said Johnson had not been aware that in lieu of any such trust being set up, the bill for the refurbishment had been paid by Tory peer and party donor Lord Brownlow. The bill was reported to be £200,000 while Johnson has an annual public grant of up to £30,000 for renovations.

Geidt said “the Prime Minister – unwisely, in my view – allowed the refurbishment of the apartment at No 11 Downing Street to proceed without more rigorous regard for how this would be funded”.

After speaking with Johnson, Geidt said the Prime Minister "knew nothing" about Brownlow's payments until immediately prior to media reports in February.

Johnson then "settled the full amount himself on March 8, 2021", according to Geidt.

The peer concluded that there was "no conflict" of interests for Johnson in how the flat refurbishment was carried out and paid for.

“In respect of the interests arising as a result of these events, I advise that an interest did arise in his capacity as a Minister of the Crown,” he said.

“This is as a result of the support provided by Conservative campaign headquarters and by Lord Brownlow to the Prime Minister.

“I have considered the nature of that support and am content that no conflict (or reasonably perceived conflict) arises as a result of these interests.

“These interests have been properly declared to me by the Prime Minister.”

He said Cabinet Secretary Simon Case had, as part of the review, acknowledged the “shortcomings relating to project management and the failure to advise the Prime Minister of the situation in October 2020” in respect to the upgrade works on the No 11 flat.

Timeline

• June 2020 - Legal advice "raised doubts" about whether a Downing Street Trust would be capable of dealing with costs associated with private residences
• October 20, 2020 - Lord Brownlow confirms to Cabinet Office officials that he settled the No 11 residence refurbishment works directly with the supplier the day before
• February 2021 - Johnson finds out about Brownlow paying for the works and seeks advice about his interests
• March 8, 2021 - Johnson "settled the full amount himself"

A Downing Street spokesman said: “Lord Geidt’s independent report shows the Prime Minister acted in accordance with the ministerial code at all times.

“The Prime Minister has made a declaration in his list of ministerial interests, as advised by Lord Geidt.

“Cabinet Office officials were engaged and informed throughout, and official advice was followed.

“Other than works funded through the annual allowance, the costs of the wider refurbishment of the flat are not being financed by taxpayers and have been settled by the Prime Minister personally.”