An ally of the British prime minister said on Friday that Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, are relocating the location of a scheduled wedding party, refuting claims that he was continuing in a caretaker capacity as a result.

Johnson, who has stated he will step down, reportedly intended to remain on for a few months in part because he planned to host a party at his official Chequers country estate later this month to mark his marriage, according to a report in The Mirror on Thursday.

An ally of the prime minister said on condition of anonymity that “it’s utterly ridiculous to suggest” the party plan was a reason for Johnson to stay on in a caretaker role. The party would no longer take place at Chequers.

Asked about the report on Thursday, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is in place, solely to continue his obligation to the public.”

In addition to their official 10 Downing Street residence in London, British prime ministers have traditionally used Chequers, a 16th century English country house north of the capital, as a personal country retreat, a place to host world leaders and occasionally, to throw parties.

Johnson married Carrie, 34, last year in a low-key, secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in central London in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple’s Chequers wedding party was planned for July 30.