Aide linked to Boris to speak out on abuse of women

THE former Tory aide who has been romantically linked to Boris Johnson is due to make a star turn at Tory conference speaking about the ‘abuse’ which deters women from pursuing political careers.

Carrie Symonds, 30, who grew close to the former Foreign Secretary in the months before his marriage split, is scheduled to host a fringe event on the shortage of woman MPs – on the same day Mr Johnson is due to address a ‘chuck Chequers’ rally at the Birmingham gathering.

The ex-Tory communications director – who has refused to discuss her friendship with Mr Johnson – is due to chair an event by the Centre For Policy Studies think-tank titled: ‘What’s stopping women from stepping up?’

The panel, which includes Women’s Minister Victoria Atkins, will discuss why four out of five Tory MPs are male, framed by the question: ‘Are women deterred by the abuse, the process or do they just need to be asked?’

It comes after female MPs, ex-special advisers and journalists together signed an open letter criticising the media’s ‘misogynistic’ treatment of Ms Symonds, pictured. The letter, signed by 80 people, including Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, Tory MP Nicky Morgan and Labour’s Stella Creasy, said the way Ms Symonds had been treated was ‘appalling’ and ‘must never happen

again’.