(posted 7051 days ago)Sky News
NO 10 'NOT MY NUMBER'
The Prime Minister of 1976, James Callaghan, was reluctant to move into Downing Street, according to files released for the first time.Instead, the Labour politician wanted to stay put in his grace and favour residence at No 1 Carlton Gardens which overlooks the Mall and is home to the Foreign Secretary.
Callaghan, who had served as Foreign Secretary, was concerned that the Downing Street flat would be too "uncomfortable" for his wife Audrey.
Mr Callaghan was so against the idea of moving in to Number 10 that he threatened to go back to his own London flat in Kennington Park Road - a rundown area of south London.
Officials were worried about his security - and him staying in Carlton Gardens was not possible because it was needed for the new Foreign Secretary.
According to the documents released to the National Archives under the Freedom of Information Act, his defiance startled officials.
Shortly after Mr Callaghan was elected as PM, Sir Michael Palliser, a senior Foreign Office official, wrote to his counterparts in the Prime Minister's office seeking to raise the delicate issue.
Mr Callaghan was eventually persuaded to move into Number 10 although the papers do not give any indication as to what made him change his mind.
Last Updated: 09:23 UK, Tuesday January 04, 2005