Boris Johnson: Watchdog examines £220,000 taxpayers’ bill for Partygate defence

National Audit Office asks Cabinet Office about former PM’s legal costs

The government’s decision to give £220,000 of taxpayers’ money to cover Boris Johnson’s legal fees for the upcoming Partygate inquiry is being looked into by officials at the National Audit Office (NAO).

Labour has attacked Rishi Sunak over the money set aside for the former Tory leader’s defence, with Sir Keir Starmer urging the PM to tell Mr Johnson: “He made the mess, he can pick up the bill”.

The NAO has not yet decided to launch a formal investigation into the funding, but a letter has revealed one of the spending watchdog’s top officials will speak to the Cabinet Office about the matter.