Rent investment firm’s CEO received award hours before No.10 party

The CEO of a leading ground rent investment firm received an award from Boris Johnson hours before the controversial No.10 Christmas party of 2020.

Mark Hawthorn, of Landmark Group, was handed the accolade from the Prime Minister for setting up Xmas Party Heroes charity.

The digital platform encourages companies to give money from cancelled Christmas parties to hundreds of charities.

It has emerged that during a visit to Bolton on December 18, 2020 Johnson handed Mark the award for raising £1.3m for charities.

Just hours after awarding Xmas Party Heroes, the lavish do took place that has embroiled Johnson in controversy ironically took place.

At the award presentation, Johnson told Mark: “The Christmas season is fleeting but as we take down the tree and pack away the decorations, the millions of pounds that you have raised for over 300 charities will touch people’s lives for the better for years to come.”

Mark told the Daily Express: “While we acknowledge the irony of iming and context, we do not want the excellent work of Xmas Party Heroes to be politicised by being drawn into this conversation.”