Carrie Johnson felt Downing Street was "like a prison", insiders close to the Prime Minister have claimed.
In the final weeks of Boris Johnson's crumbling leadership, his wife and family reportedly retreated to Chequers, seeking a safe haven.
Following the Prime Minister's resignation last week, the couple are said to be contemplating their living situation post politics.
Carrie Johnson, the wife of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, cradles their daughter Romy as she listens to him resign outside 10 Downing Street
Gareth Fuller
Reports indicate the couple will not return to a house they purchased in south London, due to the increase security risk of living there, and will continue to rent it out.
Mrs Johnson allegedly felt confined to No 10, fearing she would be photographed with the couple's young children every-time she left and returned.
The Telegraph reports that she likened life inside Downing Street to living in a "pressure cooker" and felt it was "like a prison".
An insider told the publication: “Downing Street is like a prison. It’s nice enough in the flat, but it doesn’t have its own outside space that is genuinely yours.
"The garden is shared with the staff and you can’t move outside the gates without people following you or taking pictures. That is a nightmare.”
Prime Minister's wife Carrie Johnson arriving for the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral
Henry Nicholls
The friend of the Prime Minister noted how the domestic situation for the Johnsons may have improved if Mr Johnson made Chequers his permanent residence, commuting to Downing Street on a regular basis.
The source stated: “Downing Street was a pressure cooker. They were right on top of the workplace, and you can’t leave that behind. It has been hopeless.”
The Prime Minister married Carrie Johnson in ceremony in May last year while Covid restrictions were in place, marking the occasion will a small gathering in the Downing Street gardens.
The couple were set to host a larger party later this year at the grace and favour country house, Chequers, but were forced to choose a new venue, amid mounting criticism that he was holding onto his premiership for the sake of the party.
Mrs Johnson, who is an active campaigner on animal rights, conservation and violence against women, announced she plans to continue her charity work when her husband steps down as leader of the Conservatives.
The couple purchased a four-bedroom house in Camberwell, south London, for £1.2million in July 2019, but have no plans to live there after they leave Downing Street.
