Johnson’s domestic ‘row’ rocks Tory race
LONDON: Britain’s leadership contest was rocked yesterday by reports that police were called to a late-night “row” between frontrunner Boris Johnson and his partner, just hours before campaigning opens to win over grassroots Conservatives.
The Guardian said officers were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour said there had been a loud altercation involving screams, shouts and bangs at the south London property, shortly after Johnson had secured his place in the final runoff to become prime minister.
The paper said on Friday Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds, could be heard telling the former London mayor to “get off me” and “get out of my flat”.
London’s Metropolitan Police said it responded to a call from a resident but that “occupants of the address... were safe and well”.
Johnson is the runaway favourite to beat Jeremy Hunt, but will face questions over the incident yesterday when he and Hunt kick off a month-long nationwide tour to win over the grassroots Conservatives, who have the final say.
Whoever takes the Tory party leadership in the week beginning July 22 — and therefore becomes prime minister — will face the looming Brexit deadline of Oct 31.
But the race might ultimately turn into a popularity contest between Johnson, pugnacious but affable with a tendency for gaffes, and the more diplomatic, low-key Hunt.
The “row” was splashed across the front pages of most newspapers yesterday, and while bookmakers were still betting for Johnson, pundits warned the incident could harm his chances.
“Much will depend on the next 24 hours and whether the audio said to have been recorded by a concerned neighbour emerges,” said The Times newspaper.