Shocking claim suggests Boris Johnson trying to remain interim PM so he can host big party

Opposition is growing to Boris Johnson remaining as prime minister after sources claimed his motive was a big party at the end of the month.

Boris Johnson reportedly intends to stay on as an interim prime minister for the UK so he can host an exuberant wedding celebration with his new wife Carrie later this month.

The lavish celebration was set to be hosted at the Chequers, a country house for UK prime ministers, and entertain a large group of the couple’s family and friends on July 30.

The pair were married in a secret ceremony in May 2021 and had a party in the Downing Street garden with 30 guests, in keeping with Covid restrictions in place at the time.

Since his sensational resignation on Thursday (local time) there have been question marks surrounding his intention to stay on as caretaker PM until October, at which point he will conduct an “orderly handover”.

Sources have since told The Mirror the couple planned to proceed with their party, describing the decision as “crass” and saying it “beggars belief”.

Allies of Mr Johnson have offered a different view however, claiming he wanted to remain as caretaker out of a sense of duty to the country until a replacement was found.

Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie planned to host a big wedding party at the end of the month. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

“It beggars belief that even after all the criticism Johnson has faced regarding integrity and probity, one of the reasons he is staying is to have his wedding party at Chequers,” one source told the publication.

“It’s a national asset not his personal home. The Johnsons should do the decent thing and find a different venue. And Boris should do the decent thing and leave No 10 immediately”.

Another inside source said it was “crass if it goes ahead”.

A spokesperson for the PM dismissed the claim he was staying on to make use of the country house and asserted the move was purely driven by his desire to serve the nation.

“The PM has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is in place solely to continue his obligation to the public,” they told The Mirror.

The couple were married at a time when tight restrictions were in place. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer told the BBC Mr Johnson “needs to go, he can’t cling on in this way”.

“His own party have finally concluded that he’s unfit to be Prime Minister – they can’t now inflict him on the country for the next few months,” he said.

The final straw came on Thursday morning when Nadhim Zahawi, Rishi Sunak’s replacement as Chancellor, also withdrew his support, calling on the PM to step down.

It came after seven ministers quit before breakfast, meaning the overall number of resignations topped 50.

Mr Johnson planned to continue living at No 10 until the election of a new prime minister – a plan even people within his own party have expressed concern over.

The executive of the Tory backbench 1922 committee was expected to draw up a timetable on how his departure would be arranged.

The PM said he had appointed a cabinet to serve the country until a new leader was decided.

“I’ve agreed with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of our backbench MPs, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now.

The pair’s big party was planned for the PM’s Chequers residence. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

“The timetable will be announced next week. And I’ve today appointed a Cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place.”

The lavish 16th century Chequers mansion, built in 1565, sets taxpayers back £1 million (A$1.8 million) a year.

It was donated to the country in 1917 by Lord and Lady Lee of Fareham as a “place of rest and recreation for Prime Ministers” and features a heated indoor pool, a putting green and 1,500 acres of land.