A removal van was seen outside Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds’ home as the couple finalise their move into Downing Street.
The van, from removal company Alexanders, arrived outside the pair’s Camberwell home at 9.30am today to continue the move into the expansive flat above Number 11.
The Prime Minister and the ‘first girlfriend’ Ms Symonds, 31, are moving into the larger lodgings, traditionally used by the Chancellor, leaving Sajid Javid with the flat above the official residence of the Prime Minister.
A removal van was spotted outside Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds’ flat at 9.30am
The van, from removal company Alexanders, arrived outside the couple’s Camberwell flat at 9.30am today to continue the move into the expansive flat above Number 11
Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds had been living together at her flat in Camberwell, south London, until a well-publicised row recorded by neighbours who claimed she yelled ‘get off me’ and ‘get out of my flat’.
After it emerged their staunch remainer neighbours Tom Penn and his wife Eve Leigh called the police after hearing and recording the bust up, Ms Symonds didn’t want to return to her home.
They latterly handed their taping to The Guardian newspaper, which sparked protests outside – and left Ms Symonds petrified to ever return there.
But they had already put the offer in on a new £1.3 million four bedroom home and were staying at a friend’s house while they waited to exchange contracts and move in together properly.
Pictured: Boris Johnson and girlfriend Carrie Symonds seen arriving at the rear entrance to No 10 Downing Street
Boris Johnson is greeted by applauding staffers as he walks into No 10 – but he will live next door
Mr Johnson and Mr Symonds had been living together at her flat in Camberwell, south London, until a well-publicised plate-smashing row recorded by neighbours who claimed she yelled ‘get off me’ and ‘get out of my flat’
Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds, the first unmarried couple to live in Downing Street, are looking to make the coveted home their own, occupying the spacious four-bedroom flat while Mr Javid and his large family move into the smaller quarters above Number 10.
The apartment above the finance minister’s office has been home to PMs and their families since 1997, when Tony and Cherie Blair chose it over the two-bedroom flat above the more famous black door.
But while the Blairs had a young family, Boris, whose children are adults, will share the spacious living quarters with only his girlfriend.
The tradition was upheld by subsequent Prime Ministers, with Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, and David and Samantha Cameron and their children enjoying the more spacious home above Number 11.
Pictured: Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Larry the 10 Downing Street cat
The Prime Minister and the ‘first girlfriend’ Ms Symonds, 31, are moving into the larger lodgings at Number 11, leaving Chancellor Sajid Javid with the flat above the official residence of the Prime Minister
The Camerons renovated the kitchen and allowed cameras in to photograph the Prime Minister working in the sitting room and his wife hosting charity meetings around the breakfast table.
Theresa and Philip May lived above number 10 with Chancellor Philip Hammond and his wife taking the Chancellor’s traditional accommodation.
Boris separated from his second wife Marina in September after he was thrown out of the family home.
Mr Javid has a wife and small children, who may struggle to squeeze into the two-bedroom apartment above his new HQ, but it is believed they will stay at the large family home in Fulham which features added security since he was made home secretary last year.
Tony Blair referred to the downing street properties as ‘Tardis like’ for their internal dimensions. Pictured: The boardroom in Number 11
On August 7 the dramatic overhaul of Downing Street continued as removal men arrived to make the finishing touches to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symond’s new home.
An articulated lorry bearing the insignia of removal firm Bishop’s Move, a favourite of the British political class, parked up outside Downing Street, and removal men were greeted by staff as work got underway to transform the living quarters above Number 10 and Number 11.