‘I love John Lewis’: Boris Johnson defends British store in Downing Street flat renovation row
- The retailer became embroiled in Johnson’s flat refurbishment scandal for providing what a guest allegedly described as a ‘furniture nightmare’
- The prime minister also said there was nothing to worry about in an electoral watchdog probe into the funding of the renovation of his home
Asked what was wrong with John Lewis, Johnson replied: “Absolutely nothing. If there’s one thing I object in this whole farrago of nonsense … I love John Lewis!”
Johnson has been under pressure from a raft of scandals, including over who initially paid for the refurbishment of his Downing Street apartment, which some media have reported has run into the tens of thousands.
The British leader has repeatedly said the he has paid the bills.
John Lewis, a retailer much-loved by many Britons for its furniture and home furnishings, became embroiled in the scandal when Tatler magazine reported his fiancée Carrie Symonds had despaired over the “glum decor” left by former prime minister, Theresa May.
It said the refurbishment had left Number 11 Downing Street “much improved from what a visitor calls the ‘John Lewis furniture nightmare’ of the May years”.