The vaccine deployment minister, Nadhim Zahawi, has defended the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, over the flat refurbishment row. Zahawi said: 'The prime minister has been very clear that he has paid for this, that he also followed ministerial codes, took advice, and if Lord Geidt in his investigation requires the prime minister to make any other declarations, then he will also do that.'

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Christopher Geidt, a former private secretary to the Queen, has been appointed as Johnson’s new adviser on ministerial standards. He is to immediately look into the controversy over payments for the renovation of Johnson’s Downing Street flat

Labour calls for wholly independent adviser amid row over PM’s flat ► https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/29/labour-calls-for-wholly-independent-adviser-amid-row-over-pms-flat

Boris Johnson flat row: minister defends PM, saying he has been following advice of officials – live ► https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2021/apr/29/boris-johnson-flat-row-cash-for-cushions-inquiry-covid-live

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