Spin chief linked to BoJo emerges amid spat over his ‘sexual incontinence’
BORIS Johnson jokingly threatened to have his former spin doctor prosecuted for blackmail when he faced being mocked as ‘sexually incontinent’ in a row over a cancelled TV interview.
He also told the television reporter to take part in a ‘hostage video’ singing his praises as a would-be Prime Minister as the price for taking part in his show.
The clash came with Guto Harri, who was Mr Johnson’s head of communications as London Mayor, over an appearance on the former BBC correspondent’s new show on Wales’ S4C channel.
The ex-foreign secretary cancelled plans to be interviewed amid reports of his relationship with Tory aide Carrie Symonds, who has now been pictured for the first time since the row broke last weekend. Mr Harri texted his old boss: ‘If I don’t have you on my show I have to secure some publicity for it myself and start saying yes to the endless stream of offers I’m getting to talk about suicide vests and sexual incontinence. You sure you can’t spare 30 minutes towards the end of next week? Hope you’re OK. G.’
Mr Johnson replied: ‘I’m forwarding this to [Met Police Commissioner] Cressida Dick. It is a clear attempt at blackmail. That has been against the law since the Middle Ages.’
Earlier Mr Johnson allegedly asked Mr Harri to record what he called a ‘hostage video’ in return for being interviewed. Mr Harri says he was told he should pay a ‘glowing tribute to my [Mr Johnson’s] statesmanlike skills’ to be broadcast on the BBC. Mr Harri said he rejected the demand.
Friends of Mr Johnson said the ‘blackmail’ text was ‘clearly meant tongue in cheek.’ But Mr Harri said: ‘As always with Boris you are never sure how much is a jolly jape and how much is serious.
‘I have no intention of being gagged by him. Somebody has got to take the spade out of Boris’ hands because he is digging his political grave.’
Former Tory spin doctor Miss Symonds, 30, who has not commented on claims she and Mr Johnson had become close, was spotted chatting with a friend in the countryside this week as she sits out what friends have said is a difficult time.
Marina Wheeler, Mr Johnson’s wife of 25 years, is reported to have cited his ‘adultery’ in divorce papers.