Sir Keir Starmer has spent nearly £80,000 removing Conservative Party blue decor from the Downing Street media briefing room.
The redecorating work focused on removing blue boards that partially covered wood panelling behind the lectern at No9, Downing Street.
The briefing room, established under Boris Johnson’s premiership in 2020, was originally intended for daily televised press conferences, though these plans were later abandoned.
The space continues to be used for televised briefings by prime ministers and other ministers.
Sir Keir Starmer unveiling Labour’s NHS plan
PA
The room’s original fitting out by Johnson’s Government in 2020 cost taxpayers more than £2.6million.
Freedom of Information Act disclosures revealed “main works” cost over £1.8million, with nearly £200,000 spent on “long-lead items”.
An additional £33,000 was allocated for broadband equipment.
The Cabinet Office defended the expenditure at the time, stating it was in the “public interest” and would “increase public accountability and transparency”.
The White House-style daily briefings, which prompted the room’s creation, never materialised.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Boris Johnson in the No9 briefing room
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The media briefing room gained notoriety in late 2021 when a leaked video emerged showing Downing Street staff discussing Christmas parties.
The footage captured Allegra Stratton, then Johnson’s Press Secretary, rehearsing for planned daily televised briefings.
During the rehearsal, Stratton was practising responses to potential questions about whether a Christmas party at Downing Street had been appropriate during Covid restrictions.
The incident ultimately contributed to the room’s complex political legacy.
Labour had strongly criticised the original £2.6million expenditure when in opposition.
A major briefing from No9 during the Covid pandemic
PA
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had previously compared the spending to the Government’s proposed one per cent pay rise for NHS workers at the time.
“It would take around 100 years for a newly qualified nurse to get paid this kind of money,” she said.
“It sums up Boris Johnson’s warped priorities that he can find millions for vanity projects, while picking the pockets of NHS workers.”
Rayner added: “Our NHS heroes deserve a fair pay rise after all they have done for us.”
Starmer also described the spending as reflecting “Boris Johnson’s warped priorities”.
