British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied wrongdoing over his links to an American businesswoman who allegedly received money and favourable treatment because of their friendship during his time as mayor of London.

The Prime Minister was referred to the police complaints body to assess whether he should face a criminal investigation over his links with former model Jennifer Arcuri.

News has now reported that she confided to four friends that they had been engaged in an affair during his time in City Hall.

It follows reports by the same paper that Arcuri was given £126,000 in public money and privileged access to three foreign trade missions led by Johnson while he was mayor.

Pressed on whether he declared an interest relating to his links with MsArcuri, he said: “There was no interest to declare…”

And he accused his successor Sadiq Khan of “peddling” the reports, adding: “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 claims come after the Greater London Authority (GLA) said its monitoring officer had recorded a “conduct matter” against Johnson over allegations Arcuri received favourable treatment because of her friendship with him while he was mayor of London.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now considering whether there are grounds to investigate the Prime Minister for the criminal offence of misconduct in public office.

Johnson has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his links with Arcuri.

Enrich told that he had been working on an article on Arcuri’s business partner for the Wall Street Journal, published in 2013 when he interviewed her and spoke to a number of people in her close circle.

The latest allegations of infidelity follow a string of well-publicized stories involving Johnson’s private life, some of which plagued his 25-year marriage to second wife Marina Wheeler.

Despite surviving years of turmoil, Johnson and his lawyer wife separated and began divorce proceedings in 2018 and he is now living at Downing Street with former Tory Party worker Carrie Symonds, 31.

Read more articles about PM Boris Johnson: https://www.theforeigncode.com/category/europe/

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