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Prospective Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "given the finger" by the wife of the man who reported him to the police.

The leadership favourite has faced questions over an early morning clash with lover and former Tory party PR Carrie Symonds which happened at their south London property.

Neighbour Tom Penn, 29, dialled 999 after becoming concerned for the welfare of the couple after hearing a loud row on Friday.

He and wife 34-year-old Eve Leigh say they tried to check on the pair several times before phoning the police and recording the altercation – the resulting clip later passed to The Guardian newspaper.

A tweet published by Ms Leigh last weekend said she had given Mr Johnson "the finger" but the Cambridge graduate's post is no longer public.

(Image: Getty)

In the face of what Mr Penn described as "frankly bizarre and fictitious allegations" he has defended his decision to call for help and pass on the recording.

He said he "felt it was of important public interest" to tell The Guardian about events, adding: "I believe it is reasonable for someone who is likely to become our next prime minister to be held accountable for all of their words, actions and behaviours."

He told the newspaper: "Once clear that no-one was harmed, I contacted The Guardian, as I felt it was of important public interest.

"I, along with a lot of my neighbours all across London, voted to remain within the EU. That is the extent of my involvement in politics.

"The unpleasant things being said about myself and my partner, and some quite frankly bizarre and fictitious allegations, have been upsetting for not only us, but also for family, friends and fellow Camberwell neighbours, who are currently being harangued by the media.

"I would ask that you leave private citizens alone and focus instead on those who have chosen to run for power within the public eye."

Scotland Yard said they were alerted to the situation by a caller who "was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour".

(Image: MDM)

On Saturday Brexit minister James Cleverly, a supporter of Mr Johnson, came under fire after appearing to criticise the couple's decision to call the police.

He tweeted that the "big element" of the story "isn't that there was a heated argument, it's that the police were called," adding: "The police were called by the same person who recorded Boris and gave the story to the Guardian."

Mr Johnson, 55, can be heard saying "get off my f******* laptop" during the bust up before a loud crash while at another point 31-year-old Ms Symonds yells "get off me" and "get out of my flat."

Mr Penn, who has lived in the block for a year, said: "After a loud scream and banging, followed by silence, I ran upstairs, and with my wife agreed that we should check on our neighbours.

"I knocked three times at their front door, but there was no response. I went back upstairs into my flat, and we agreed that we should call the police.

"The police arrived within five minutes. Our call was made anonymously and no names were given to the police. They subsequently called back to thank us for reporting, and to let us know that nobody was harmed.

"To be clear, the recordings were of the noise within my own home. My sole concern up until this point was the welfare and safety of our neighbours. I hope that anybody would have done the same thing," he said.

(Image: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror) (Image: PA)

Meanwhile Ms Symonds has told friends she feels "stitched up" by her neighbour's actions and that she is too scared to return to the £750,000 flat because of a mounting campaign of hostility.

A source close to the couple said the argument was sparked after bumbling Mr Johnson spilt red wine on Ms Symond's favourite cream cushion and light-coloured sofa.

They described the pair as "calm, stable and grounded most of the time" and said the police seemed "bemused" as to why they were there after turning up in two patrol cars and a van.

Another source in Boris' camp said: “The local hatred to Boris and Carrie has been ramped up recently. That’s why they feel it’s a stitch-up.

“Carrie is now really frightened and cannot believe this has happened over such a minor matter.

“She and Boris will not be going back there as they are too worried about the hostility they faced."

In the wake of the incident anti-Boris posters have been put up around the Camberwell neighbourhood while around 300 locals are expected to stage a rally against the former foreign secretary today.

Mr Johnson's lead has been reduced following the row but he remains the favourite to win the leadership race against rival Jeremy Hunt. The victor will be announced the week beginning July 22.