No one is above the law, even the prime minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under growing pressure to explain the funding behind the downing street flat refurbishments. He may have broken the law – and the Electoral Commission has launched an investigation into funding of works on Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat.

This is important because it is about the risk that a politician might receive money or some kind of a donation as a form of payment in exchange for a government policy or decision that might affect the person who has given them that money or donation.

We expect our politicians to be transparent about where money, donations or gifts that they’ve received come from so that we, the people those politicians represent, can check whether the politician is being influenced by those donations.

These laws are in place to mitigate that risk. These laws are important because they’re a fundamental aspect of our democracy: Rich people and corporations shouldn’t be able to buy government policies. All citizens should have equal representation by our government.

The key question here is not about whether 10 Downing Street needed some DIY, the key question is did someone get or expect to get something in return for the donation they made towards the upkeep of 10 downing the street.

Fundamentally – no one should be above the law, even the prime minister.

Open Democracy have detailed the different laws that Johnson may have broken, which I’ve summarised as follows:

7 ways Johnson may have broken the law:

  1. Electoral law: donation of over £7,500 not reported to the Electoral Commission, (Similarly with large loans also have to be reported.

  2. The Ministerial Code “no minister should accept gifts, hospitality or services from anyone which would, or might appear to, place him or her under an obligation.”

  3. Parliamentary rules: As an MP, Boris Johnson has to report all personal donations that may sway his vote.

  4. Ministerial gifts: undeclared gifts would be a further breach of the Ministerial Code.

  5. The tax authorities: a large windfall of this kind would qualify for the 45% tax rate.

  6. Cabinet Office annual report: need to satisfy their auditor, the comptroller and auditor general to the House of Commons, Amyas Morse.

  7. Obstructing FOI: The Cabinet Office is already in breach of the Freedom of Information Act in failing to respond to Information requests.