Britain’s Boris Johnson under fire over US$138,700 in new art for Downing Street

The purchases drew criticism as an unnecessary luxury at a time when the government is facing tough decisions on spending cuts and tax increases

Funding for the artworks came from a pot of money that is largely made up of contributions from donors but is supplemented by taxpayer cash

Reading Time:2 minutes

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured on August 5. Photo: Reuters

dpain London

Published: 1:49pm, 9 Aug 2021Updated: 8:56pm, 9 Aug 2021

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under fire after it emerged nearly £100,000 (US$138,700) was spent on two works of art to be displayed on the walls of 10 Downing Street.

The accounts of the Government's Art Collection fund show £70,200 was spent on a painting by Belfast artist Cathy Wilkes, the Daily Mirror reported.

A further £18,775 was spent on a set of works by photographer and installation artist Willie Doherty.

A burning bus is seen amid protests in Belfast earlier this year. Downing Street reportedly bought the US$138,700 in artworks to mark the centenary of the foundation of Northern Ireland. Photo: Reuters

The works were paid for through the Government Art Collection fund, which is largely made up of contributions from donors but is supplemented by taxpayer cash.

The spending drew criticism from opposition MPs, who branded the works an unnecessary luxury when the government is facing tough decisions on spending cuts and tax increases.