Ultra-rich UK PM to move into small Downing Street flat | Inquirer News

Ultra-rich UK PM to move into small Downing Street flat

/ 05:35 PM October 27, 2022

UK PM Sunak gathers cabinet to begin 'hard work' of fixing economy

Britain’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waves as he enters Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

London , United Kingdom — Britain’s ultra-wealthy new British prime minister Rishi Sunak and his family plan to live in the flat above number 10 Downing Street, despite owning a string of luxury properties including one in London.

Sunak’s portfolio of properties reportedly includes a penthouse in California, an apartment in London’s exclusive Kensington district and a mansion in his Yorkshire constituency in the north of England.

Article continues after this advertisement

But the prime minister’s secretary has confirmed he will be moving into Downing Street.

FEATURED STORIES

“They will be moving into the No 10 flat,” the spokeswoman said, adding that she did not know if they had any plans to redecorate.

Johnson got into hot water over an expensive refit of his prime ministerial flat.

Article continues after this advertisement

The ousted premier’s lavish refurbishment of his flat, next door at No 11 Downing Street, was overseen by his wife Carrie. Controversy over the way it was funded handed ample ammunition to Johnson’s critics.

Article continues after this advertisement

The details of expensive rolls of wallpaper, hyper-fashionable soft furnishings and deep-pocketed donors became the stuff of endless newspaper articles that ultimately undermined his authority.

Article continues after this advertisement

Although the No 10 flat in Downing Street is in a prime location, it is relatively small.

Sunak’s move there will mark a return the flat being the London home of the British prime minister.

Article continues after this advertisement

Sunak’s Labrador comes too 

Traditionally British leaders lived in the flat above number 10 Downing Street. The main building it sits above is the official residence and office of the country’s prime ministers.

Chancellors generally lived in the larger flat above No 11.

However when Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were prime minister and chancellor, they swapped flats to accommodate Blair’s growing family.

In fact, Sunak only recently moved out of No 10 flat as he lived there during his time as Johnson’s finance minister, until resigning in July.

Asked why he had chosen to live at No 10 and not the bigger No 11 flat, the spokeswoman said: “They were very happy there.”

The Sunaks, who have two daughters and a Labrador dog, however, are unlikely to need to rely on rich backers for any flat redecorations.

Before marrying the daughter of an Indian billionaire in 2009, Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs investment management company and two hedge funds,

His wife Akshata Murty owns a substantial stake in her father’s Infosys software company.

Together, the couple are on The Sunday Times rich list, with a net worth of 730 million pounds.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

British prime ministers also have the use of a country residence, Chequers.

RELATED STORIES:

Rishi Sunak to be UK prime minister: What you need to know

Rishi Sunak: I am standing to be British prime minister

TAGS: London, Rishi Sunak, world news

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.