Probe will rule on his ‘integrity and honesty’

A SECOND probe into Boris Johnson’s conduct as Mayor of London will examine “honesty and integrity” in his official dealings with Jennifer Arcuri.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has ruled no criminality and “no evidence indicating Mr Johnson influenced payment or influenced or played an active part in securing her participation in trade missions”.

The IOPC would not comment yesterday on Jennifer’s claims about her affair with Boris. But it referred to its earlier findings, which said: “There was evidence to suggest officers making decisions about sponsorship monies and trade missions thought there was a close relationship and this influenced their decision making.

“Our review established a close association between Mr Johnson and Ms Arcuri and there may have been an intimate relationship. Even if the relationship was intimate, Mr Johnson had no obligation to include Ms Arcuri’s business interests in his own register of interests. However, under the Nolan Principles of Public Life, our review suggests it would have been wise for Mr Johnson to have declared this as a conflict of interest.”

The Greater London Authority is now probing a potential breach of the Nolan Principles – a code requiring selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Officials are told: “Holders of public office should not gain financial or other benefits for themselves, family or friends.” The probe will consider if Jennifer had “preferential treatment” and any conflict of interest.

Len Duvall, chair of the GLA oversight committee, has previously said it will also consider whether the PM “conducted himself in a way expected”. An inquiry into a £100,000 government grant given to Jennifer’s cyber security firm found the payment was “appropriate”.