Boris Johnson failed to declare the villa he spent his £15k New Year holiday in is owned by an elusive hedge fund boss
BORIS Johnson failed to declare that the luxury villa he spent his £15,000 New Year holiday in is owned by an elusive New York hedge fund millionaire, The Sun can reveal.
The PM and partner Carrie Symonds stayed at an exclusive luxury home on the island of Mustique owned by Green Horizon Asset Management boss Tolomy Erpf, who also goes by the name Armand.
The trip was “facilitated” by Carphone Warehouse mogul David Ross, who said that he arranged the villa, which is why Boris declared it as his gift.
But who paid the bill remains a mystery as it’s not known if Mr Erpf was paid by Mr Ross or donated the time in the Oceanus villa himself.
Mr Erpf is understood to be part of a wealthy New York-based financier dynasty – although the elusive millionaire has almost zero presence online.
On Thursday David Ross’ spokesman said: “Mr Ross facilitated accommodation for Mr Johnson on Mustique valued at £15,000.
“Therefore this is a benefit in kind from Mr Ross to Mr Johnson, and Mr Johnson’s declaration to the House of Commons is correct.”
Armand Erpf, 51, who works in financial services in New York, declined to comment when asked if he was the owner of the villa Boris stayed in.
He said: “I’m afraid I am not at liberty to comment.”
Mr Erpf, who has never met Mr Johnson and was not on the island over Christmas, is believed to co-own Oceanus with his sister.
A source told The Sun: “There was a paying guest who stayed in the house over the Christmas holidays. The house was paid for.
“But as is typical, there were guests who stayed there who did not pay. It often happens in houses with lots of bedrooms – some guests pay and some don’t.
“That may or may not have been the British Prime Minister.”
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Labour said there should be an investigation into who funded the trip by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Jon Trickett MP Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office wrote that “the Code of Conduct requires Members to provide the name of the person or organisation that actually funded a donation.”
He adds that “transparency is crucial to ensuring that the public have confidence that elected Members of this House have not been unduly influence by any donations or gifts that they may receive.”
The couple celebrated the PM’s dominant election win at the Oceanus, a Moorish castle-style villa nestled on the hilltops of Mustique, over the New Year festivities, from Boxing Day until their return on January 5.
A brochure for the villa said guests can pick from one of three private pools and will be looked after by a team of staff including a butler, housekeeper and private gourmet chef.
Each of the villa’s master suites faces the ocean, offering romantic sunset evenings, while the property is made of natural materials.
The brochure says: “The open air plan provides the perfect balance of indoor and outdoor living spaces.
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“Multiple sunset decks and lounge areas with seven lighted water features make the property well suited for entertaining.
“This tranquil villa rests harmoniously on a hilltop overlooking Britannia Bay, which offers perfect trade wind breezes and panoramic views of the surrounding Caribbean and lush landscape of the island.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “All relevant transparency requirements have been met. This was a benefit in kind from David Ross.”
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