PM accused of ‘insufficient response’ to Arcuri inquiry

BORIS JOHNSON has given an “insufficient” response to an inquiry into his relationship with Jennifer Arcuri, the London Assembly has said.

City Hall had given the Prime Minister 14 days to answer its questions over allegations that the American entrepreneur received preferential access to trade trips and public funds while he was mayor of London.

Mr Johnson responded on Tuesday, with his solicitors asking for the evidence to be kept confidential. Mr Johnson previously accused his “old friends” in the assembly of “barking up the wrong tree” with the investigation.

However, last night the assembly said it could see “nothing” that “reflects the need for confidentiality” in the submitted papers.

Len Duvall, assembly member and chairman of the oversight committee, said Mr Johnson had not answered all the questions regarding Ms Arcuri.

He said: “We did finally receive a response from Boris Johnson, through his solicitors, which they have indicated may not be published. At this stage we are respecting that, but we are seeking further clarification.

“Nothing in the response, in our opinion, reflects the need for confidentiality. In fact, the response is insufficient as far as our request for information is concerned.”

The assembly had asked the Prime Minister to provide details and a timeline of all contact with Ms Arcuri while he was mayor. It has also asked him to give an explanation of how that relationship was disclosed.

The inquiry follows reports Ms Arcuri received more than £100,000 in public funding and privileged access to three foreign trade missions while Mr Johnson was mayor. Labour has called for Mr Johnson’s response to be made public and said Mr Johnson should not be allowed to “hide from scrutiny”.

Mr Duvall said his committee was considering using its “power of summons” to hear Mr Johnson’s testimony in public, and confirmed a decision on what action they would take would be “finalised in the coming days”.