Johnson: ‘No interest to declare’ over links to businesswoman
Boris Johnson has insisted tht there was “no interest to declare” amid claims about his association with former American model turned tech businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri.
It follows reports that Ms Arcuri told friends that she had an affair with Mr Johnson while he was mayor of London.
On Friday, the Prime Minister was referred to the police complaints body to assess whether he should face a criminal investigation over allegations that Ms Arcuri received favourable treatment because of their friendship.
Asked by the BBC’S Andrew Marr if he declared an interest relating to his links with Ms Arcuri when he was London mayor, the Prime Minister replied: “Everything was done in accordance with the code ... and everything was done with full propriety.”
He added: “There was no interest to declare ... I may say that the current mayor of London could possibly spend more time investing in police officers than he is investing in press officers and peddling this kind of stuff.”
The Sunday Times has reported that Ms Arcuri confided to four friends that they had been engaged in an affair during his time in City Hall.
Downing Street has refused to comment on the report.
The Greater London Authority said its monitoring officer had recorded a “conduct matter” against Mr Johnson following claims that Ms Arcuri received public money for her businesses while he was mayor, and was included in trade missions that she was not eligible for.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is also considering whether there are grounds to investigate the Prime Minister for the criminal offence of misconduct in public office.