Boris Johnson screened latest James Bond film in £2.6 million press room

The briefing room in No 9 cost the taxpayer £2.6 million. Credit: PA

Boris Johnson used his White House-style press briefing room, which cost £2.6 million, to watch the new James Bond film with staff.

It was understood that the Prime Minister attended the screening of No Time To Die at No 9 Downing Street after hours on Thursday.

Lobby briefings with Westminster’s political journalists instead took place in a room in No 10 that day, as well as on Friday.

A No 10 spokesman said: "Yesterday the Prime Minister met with Pinewood Studios, Universal Pictures, Eon Productions and the BFI to congratulate them on the success of the latest James Bond installment – a testament to the talent of British creative industry.

"An evening film screening took place for staff, who made voluntary donations, with all proceeds going to Sarcoma UK".

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The Downing Street media briefing room. Credit: PA

All installation costs were said to have been met by the companies involved, and that similar screenings have happened previously.

ITV News exclusively revealed the first images of the White House-style press briefing room in March.

The renovations took place under plans to hold daily televised press conferences to be led by former journalist Allegra Stratton, who was appointed as the Prime Minister’s press secretary.

But in April it emerged the plans had been scrapped and Ms Stratton was moved to become a spokeswoman for the Cop26 climate summit.

Since then, Mr Johnson and his Cabinet ministers have used the room for major press conferences to keep the public informed during the coronavirus pandemic.

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