LONDON: Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to break with more than 275 years of tradition and move out of 10 Downing Street – to take up residence next door at No 12, The Sun newspaper reported on Monday.
The move is a direct result of the ongoing financial crisis which has pushed Brown to look for bigger premises to accommodate him and his key advisers involved in tacking the crisis.
No 10 has been the seat of government since 1735, but it is a listed building which cannot be structurally altered due to planning permission restrictions. But now, Brown will direct operations from an open plan ‘war room’ at No 12, which is currently occupied by the Downing Street press office and strategic communications unit, said The Sun.
The aim is to have all Mr Brown’s decision-makers and officials close to hand, in particular at a time when the financial crisis is moving so fast. The area is currently home to the press office and strategic communications unit, but within weeks it will be transformed.
The L-shaped office will also include the desk of his trusted veteran aide Sue Nye, his deputy chief of staff Gavin Kelly, political secretary Joe Irvin, and David Muir, his director of strategy and former advertising executive. On hand will be his press team, headed by Michael Ellam, and his new political press secretary Justin Forsyth.
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