Downing Street was silent today on how Boris Johnson is paying for a family sunshine getaway at the opulent Costa del Sol holiday home of one of his ministers.
The Prime Minister, Carrie and son Wilfred left the UK's cost of living crisis and spiralling gas prices behind them on Friday by jetting off to stay at a £25,00-per-week villa near Marbella.
The property is owned by Lord Goldsmith, a former Conservative MP and friend of Mrs Johnson who was given a peerage by the PM after he lost his seat in 2019 so he could continue as a minister.
The estate, known as Torre Tramores, is a short drive from the picturesque village of Benahavis, and has its own helipad to make sure VIP holidaymakers can arrive and leave without being seen.
Industry leaders have criticised Mr Johnson for the holiday, while Labour has called on the Government to get a 'grip' on the 'chaotic' crisis the UK is facing.
But the break was defended by one of his ministers today. Home Office minister Damian Hinds said it was 'important for the whole country' that its political leader has time to switch off, asking: 'When is the right time?'
It is not the first time questions have bee raised over an extremely expensive holiday taken by the PM. In 2020 he was investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over a £15,000 pre-pandemic trip with Carrie to Mustique, in the Caribbean.
He was later cleared of breaking Commons rules over the 'freebie' - despite the sleaze watchdog condemning his behaviour and the 'unusual' arrangements.
Boris Johnson and his pregnant wife Carrie are taking a foreign break at a £25,000-a-week Marbella hideaway owned by the Prime Minister's wife's close friend and Tory peer Zac Goldsmith
Spanish media reported that the Prime Minister and his young family are staying at Tory peer Zac Goldsmith's home in the hills above the Costa del Sol.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds said it was 'important for the whole country' that its political leader has time to switch off, asking: 'When is the right time?'
Plenty of security officials and police activity have been spotted around the property over the last day, after Boris' trip was revealed yesterday
Mr Johnson's holiday there is likely to be seized on by critics, who will point out that he has left the country in the middle of a fuel crisis and with families facing a predicted 'winter of discontent', surging energy prices and stock shortages. Pictured: Boris and Carrie last took a family break with Wilfred in Scotland last year
But it is hoped some time in the luxurious hillside hideaway will give him time to recharge. The main house is set on three levels and sleeps 13. It includes a two-bedroom apartment with private access
A Civil Guard patrol car was spotted driving up to an entrance gate at lunchtime today and greeting undercover police parked near the property as they left
The estate, known as Torre Tramores, is a short drive from the picturesque village of Benahavis, and has its own helipad to make sure VIP holidaymakers can arrive and leave without being seen
Plenty of security officials and police activity have been spotted around the Marbella property over the last day, after Boris' trip was revealed by the Mail and other newspapers yesterday.
Mr Johnson's foreign holiday - his first since before the pandemic - has been seized on by critics, who will point out that he has left the country in the middle of a fuel crisis and with families facing a predicted 'winter of discontent', surging energy prices and stock shortages.
But it is hoped some time in the luxurious Spanish hillside hideaway will give him time to recharge.
And residents of the picturesque village of Benahavis said the Prime Minister's visit had become the talk among locals.
'Yes for sure your prime minister Boris Johnson is staying up at the house,' farmer Pedro Benares told MailOnline. 'I don't know when he arrived but everyone in the village is talking about it.
'It is a very big house and very private but they have to drive in and out.'
The main house is set over three levels and can sleep up to 13 people. It also includes a two-bedroom apartment with private access.
There is also a slightly smaller villa that sleeps up to 10 people and includes five en-suite bedrooms which can be rented separately.
Princess Diana is rumoured to have stayed at the exclusive estate, set in over 600 acres of woodland, after her divorce from Prince Charles.
And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan - then a professional cricketer - was pictured on his 1995 honeymoon at the estate with his now ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith, Lord Goldsmith's sister.
Mr Johnson has not been pictured at the property, and it is not known if he has left the estate since arriving on Friday with pregnant wife Carrie, 33, and their one-year-old son Wilfred.
A Civil Guard patrol car was spotted driving up to an
