The Conservative party has been fined GBP17,800 for “failing to accurately report a donation and keep a proper accounting record” over the redecoration of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat, the Electoral Commission has said.

The commission found that the party failed to “fully report” a donation of GBP67,801.72, the majority of which was connected to the refurbishment of the 11 Downing Street flat where Boris Johnson lives.

The commission’s investigation found that decisions relating to the handling and recording of the donation reflected “serious failings in the party’s compliance systems”. A fine of GBP17,800 was levied for “failing to accurately report a donation and keep a proper accounting record”.

Louise Edwards, director of regulation at the Electoral Commission, said: “The party’s decisions and actions reflected serious failings in its compliance systems.

“As a large and well-resourced political party that employs compliance and finance experts, and that has substantial sums of money going through its accounts, the Conservative party should have sufficiently robust systems in place to meet its legal reporting requirements.”

More details soon …