‘He should enter No10 with Carrie on his arm … that would be very bold; very Boris’
IT IS one of the more private dilemmas facing Boris Johnson as he prepares for life at No 10: what to do about Carrie Symonds, his girlfriend.
With the 55-year-old expected to become the next prime minister on Tuesday, speculation is mounting as to whether the 31-year-old former Tory aide will accompany him through Downing Street’s black door.
Friends have told The Sunday Telegraph the couple will continue living ving together if Mr Johnson takes charge.
If he wins the Tory ballot, Miss Symonds is said to be planning a low profile. The former Tory director of communications intends to keep her job as a senior adviser at Oceana, a USbased environmental campaign group, The Telegraph understands. Some advisers have suggested Mr Johnson should “walk into Downing Street with Carrie on his arm” as it would be “very bold, and very Boris”.
“This Th is the biggest headache we’ve got,” o one Boris backer said. “The camp is divi divided but the majority believe she shoul should be kept in the background. Ultimatel mately it’s for Boris to decide.”
Frie Friends have described Mr Johnson and Miss M Symonds as “very loved up” and say sa they intend to marry after his divorc divorce, despite a row last month.
But as one insider pointed out, it isn’t just th the protocol problems of having an unma unmarried couple in Downing Street that are a causing concerns, some have even suggested Miss Symonds is keen to see some of her allies secure jobs in the ne new administration.
One well-placed insider said: “She might not go in through the front door but she’ll s be in the building, no doubt abou about it.” A spokesman for Mr Johnson declin declined to comment.