Downing Street is facing questions over its use of a media briefing room renovated at a £2.6million cost to the taxpayer today after it was reportedly used by Boris Johnson for a private James Bond screening.
According to some reports, the Prime Minister and his staff used the room in 009 Downing Street for 007 to save the world in No Time To Die.
This room is most well-known to the public because it is the venue for Covid press conferences. It was last used by Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, on Wednesday.
The film, which is Daniel Craig’s last appearance as James Bond, is the second Hollywood movie to surpass $500 million at the box-office.
No10 confirmed that screening took place, but said that people present made voluntary donations towards a charity dealing with cancer.
The Prime Minister and staff are said to have used the room in 009 Downing Street – seen here last Month- to see 007 save the world on behalf of Britain in No Time To Die
A spokesman for PM (pictured in West London today) was unable answer questions about the screening this afternoon.
This is Daniel Craig’s final film as James Bond. It has become the second Hollywood movie to gross more than $500 million at the box office.
A No 10 spokesman said: ‘Yesterday the Prime Minister met with Pinewood Studios, Universal Pictures, Eon Productions and the BFI to congratulate them on the success of the latest James Bond instalment – a testament to the talent of British creative industry.
“An evening film screening was held for employees who made voluntary donations. All proceeds went to Sarcoma UK.”
This is the room most known to the public as the location for Covid press conferences. Health Secretary Sajid javid used it most recently on Wednesday.
The Times today revealed the unusual use that the room was used for. In March it was revealed Downing Street spent more than £2.6million on refurbishing the room so the Prime Minister could hold White House-style press briefings.
The major overhaul of No 9 Downing Street began in the last year, when the Government announced plans that it would hold televised briefings.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Cabinet Office issued a breakdown of the costs totalling £2,607,767.67, largely excluding VAT.
It stated that the funds were used to enable daily broadcasting of news organisations from the Grade-I listed building.
Johnson later scrapped plans for regular televised briefings. However irregular briefings about Covid are still held there.