BORIS Johnson has made a “humble and sincere” apology for the furore over his Downing St flat refurb.
The Sun understands the PM has grovelled to No10 sleaze-buster Lord Geidt over missing text messages crucial to the probe.
The independent adviser on ministerial standards had threatened to resign after it emerged a key WhatsApp exchange was not handed over to his inquiry.
The probe on Mr Johnson’s costly flat revamp was launched after it emerged a Tory donor originally footed the bill but was not declared at the time.
The Sun understands Mr Johnson has blamed a security breach – resulting in him changing his mobile phone – for the inadvertent non-disclosure of a crucial WhatsApp exchange.
But upon reviewing the new evidence, sources say Lord Geidt – though livid and “gravely concerned” – has concluded the exchange did not fundamentally alter his findings that Mr Johnson did not break the ministerial code but had behaved foolishly.
Downing Street has been approached for comment.
Mr Johnson has originally said he had no idea Lord Brownlow had coughed up £52,000 for the refurb of the No11 flat where he lives with wife Carrie.
But a report from the Electoral Commission subsequently revealed texts between the PM and the Tory peer discussing the refurb.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…