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Boris Johnson acted with “honesty and integrity” as mayor of London despite an American businesswoman claiming they had a sexual relationship while he was married, the prime minister’s press secretary said.
Allegra Stratton insisted that Johnson “had no case to answer” in light of reports that the City Council has expanded its investigation into his behavior after Jennifer Arcuri made a series of lurid allegations.
In an interview with The Mirror over the weekend, Arcuri said he slept with Johnson at his family home while his now-ex-wife Marina Wheeler was away.
The couple’s relationship has already come under close scrutiny, as Arcuri benefited from thousands of pounds in public money, including the mayor’s advocacy agency, London and Partners (L&P), and received coveted spots on trade missions. to New York and Tel Aviv. alongside Johnson, despite not meeting the criteria for those trips.
Johnson has never publicly accepted that he had an affair with Arcuri, but he has not denied it either.
When the allegations first surfaced in fall 2019, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated why Johnson, as mayor, had been head of the Mayor’s Office of Police and Crime. It concluded that a criminal investigation was not required, but its 112-page report said Johnson should have declared an interest in Arcuri.
That one has already been the subject of an investigation by the London Assembly, but Arcuri’s latest testimony likely fuels more questions about Johnson’s behavior and whether, despite the fact that he may not have broken the law, his behavior was still in line with the seven. standards of public life known as the “Nolan Principles.”
These include that public office holders must be honest, disclose any relationships that might challenge their integrity, and “display these principles in their own behavior.”
Stratton insisted on Monday that Johnson had acted correctly, telling reporters: “Of course, the prime minister follows the Nolan principle when conducting himself in public life.”
When asked if Johnson would testify to the London Assembly investigation, she declined to confirm that she would, saying, “I will not go into these hypotheses” and “Let’s cross those bridges when they come.”
Pressed again on whether she would cooperate, she said: “I think the prime minister, right now, is spending as much time as he can to promote vaccine adoption, ensuring the vaccine supply. All of your readers will be delighted that that is what is dominating your ability to work right now. It is up to the assembly what they want to do ”.
He repeatedly referred to the IOPC investigation, saying: “Public time, money and effort has been spent investigating whether or not there is any wrongdoing, and it was found that the Prime Minister, the then Mayor of London has no case for respond … This has already been analyzed by an independent authority. “
Stratton added of Johnson: “He believes in the broader principles of integrity and honesty. Act with integrity and be honest. Follow Nolan’s principles when conducting yourself in public life. “
Stratton has not yet spearheaded the televised lobby briefings for which she was hired, and is not expected to take office until mid-May, after the upcoming local elections.
But in a bid to avoid the ire that the £ 2.6 million taxpayer-funded study erected at 9 Downing Street has yet to be used, Johnson himself hosted the coronavirus press conference there on Monday morning. night.
