Boris claims take Tories’ spotlight
BORIS JOHNSON insisted that allegations around his personal life would not be allowed to overshadow the Conservative Party conference.
But the Prime Minister was forced to deny claims that he squeezed the thigh of a female journalist under the table during a private lunch.
He has also faced allegations about his relationship with American entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri and whether she enjoyed preferential treatment while he was mayor of London.
Questioned about journalist Charlotte Edwardes’ claim that Mr Johnson squeezed her thigh at a private lunch at The Spectator magazine’s HQ shortly after be became editor in 1999, Mr Johnson denied it.
Asked if he had done it, he told reporters during a visit to a business in Manchester: “No, and I think what the public want to hear is about what we are doing to level up and unite the country.”
Asked if she had made it up, he said: “I’m just saying what I’ve said. What the public want to hear is what we are doing for them and for the country and the investment in ways of uniting the country.”
The Prime Minister, visiting a cash and carry business in Manchester, denied that the rows over his alleged conduct were overshadowing the conference – “not at all”, he said – and hinted that the storm could be linked to opponents of Brexit.
“I think what the public want to hear is what we are doing to bring the country together and get on with improving their lives,” he repeated.
“I think I would make one general comment. I think there is a lot of people who basically want to stop us delivering Brexit on October 31.
“But I have to tell you we are not going to be deterred from that ambition. We are going to get on and do it, we are going to get us over the line. I think that that is the best thing for the country because it’s been going on a long time now, this row over Brexit.”
Cabinet ministers rallied around the Prime Minister after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday that he would “entirely trust” Ms Edwardes.
The Health Secretary refused to comment further yesterday.
Chancellor Sajid Javid said he has “full faith” in the Prime Minister.
The Chancellor also announced an “ambitious” proposal yesterday to raise the national living wage to £10.50 an hour.
His plans would also see the age threshold lowered to cover all workers over 21, and would give four million people a pay rise.
Mr Javid said he wanted the national living wage to be raised to match two-thirds of median earnings, which could lead to a £2.29 rise in the hourly rate.
Elsewhere at the conference, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson pledged to expand technical education in England.
Mr Williamson said £120m would be invested in new specialist institutes.