9 Downing Street is one of the buildings situated onDowning Street in theCity of Westminster inLondon,England. It has been used as a separate address to the better known10 Downing Street since 2001 for various government functions.
The building was previously part of the more famous10 Downing Street, which has been the official residence of theFirst Lord of the Treasury since 1732.[1] This is normally thePrime Minister of the United Kingdom.[2] Many internal refurbishments over the years have altered the interior of10 Downing Street,11 Downing Street and12 Downing Street to the point that they are all part of a single complex.[1] It was part of a reorganisation in 2001 that the number 9 address was created.[3]
TheJudicial Committee of the Privy Council was based at 9 Downing Street until August 2009, when it moved toMiddlesex Guildhall with theSupreme Court of the United Kingdom. It subsequently housed the offices of theChief Whip, though their official address remained No. 12. From 2016 until 2020 the building was used to house theDepartment for Exiting the European Union.[4]
In January 2020, the government began hosting lobby briefings at 9 Downing Street instead of the traditional location in theHouse of Commons. The move was criticised by journalists.[5][6] That year the building began undergoing a £2.6-million refurbishment in preparation for televised press briefings to be held.[7]
TheDowning Street Press Briefing Room is located in No. 9; the first press conferences were held byBoris Johnson in March 2021.[8]
In the 1980s British satirical showSpitting Image,Adolf Hitler is presented as living at 9 Downing Street under the name of Herr Willcocks and offering political assistance to the unaware Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher.[9]
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| Buildings |  .jpg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | ||
| Prime Minister's Office | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||
51°30′12″N0°07′37″W / 51.5033°N 0.1269°W /51.5033; -0.1269