Johnson faces questions over public funds for ex-model
THE Prime Minister last night came under to pressure to explain allegations that he failed to declare potential conflicts of interests during his time as London mayor over a close friendship with an American model turned technology entrepreneur.
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, accused Boris Johnson of an “alleged abuse of power” after it emerged his close friend Jennifer Arcuri was given £126,000 in public money and afforded privileged access to three foreign trade missions led by Mr Johnson as mayor.
Mr Johnson was reportedly a regular visitor to Ms Arcuri’s flat in east London. The entrepreneur, in her late 20s at the time, is claimed to have described him as “one of her best friends”.
An investigation by The Sunday Times found that in 2013 Ms Arcuri’s fledgling business received £10,000 in sponsorship cash from an organisation for which Mr Johnson was responsible as mayor. She was reportedly also given preferential treatment when it came to joining overseas trade missions led by Mr Johnson. It is claimed her business did not meet eligibility criteria for any of the missions – and after she was turned down for two trips, Mr Johnson’s team overturned the decision.
The newspaper cited an internal email which it claims shows how Ms Arcuri was given access to a New York trade mission after she discussed the matter with Mr Johnson.
As mayor, Mr Johnson was bound by a code of conduct “to declare any private interests” relating to public duties.
In 2014, Ms Arcuri was given a £15,000 government grant designed to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to build businesses in Britain. In June last year, she relocated to America, but earlier this year her company won a £100,000 grant intended for Englishbased firms from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Ms Arcuri, 34, said: “Any grants received by my companies and any trade mission I joined were purely in respect of my role as a legitimate businesswoman.” She did not comment on the nature of her relationship with Mr Johnson. Downing Street has declined to comment.