The Electoral Commission’s decision this morning to launch an investigation into the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat – following a crescendo of complaints about the way in which it was funded – takes this scandal to a new level.
While this move is a welcome one, in that it shows the system is working, it further reveals the appalling judgement in Number 10 in their refusal to come clean.
Many will try to play this down as a Westminster bubble issue, not of interest to blue wall voters or the public at large. But at its heart lies a simple question: did the Prime Minister and his advisors break the law, or attempt to do so?
They surely know the answer to this question. Their refusal to answer questions about their conduct has simply heightened suspicions.
If they broke the rules, they should have admitted as such immediately. Not only would this have been the right thing to do, it would have likely minimised the political fallout.
18 months ago, Boris Johnson won a stunning mandate to govern. This saga threatens to undermine his authority and throw that opportunity away.
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