AN INVESTIGATION into Boris Johnson’s relationship with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri during his time as Mayor of London was “postponed” yesterday.

The London Assembly said it has been asked by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to pause the probe on the premise that it could compromise the watchdog’s own investigation.

Mr Johnson is alleged to have shown Ms Arcuri favouritism by giving her privileged access to three foreign trade missions as well as giving her tech company Hacker House £126,000 in taxpayer grants.

The Assembly’s oversight committee chairman Len Duvall said the body would “consider” investigating the situation following the conclusion of the IOPC’s work.

But he said: “Subject to that important review by the IOPC, certain people should be on notice that the Assembly may well be knocking on their door sometime soon.”

Mr Johnson had complied with a request for evidence from the committee, but it approved a request from his solicitors for the papers to be kept confidential.

Mr Johnson has previously accused his “old friends” in the Assembly of “barking up the wrong tree” with an investigation.

Meanwhile the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee quizzed Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan over the awarding of the cash.

Ministers had justified awarding the money — meant to be spent on improving IT skills in Britain — on the basis that Hacker House has had a British phone number.

But calls to the number were revealed to have been answered by workers in California, where Ms Arcuri is said to be based.

The firm has been registered to an address in England where the current occupier returns post addressed to Ms Arcuri.

When asked about checks on whether the company had employees based in Britain, Ms Morgan said: “This is all the kind of thing that is part of the review and we said we would publish the review.”

The select committee asked whether Ms Arcuri’s involvement in a Conservative Party roadshow campaign and her close relationship with Mr Johnson would be part of the review.

She replied that the department is “looking at the awarding of the money” and that a report would be published at the end of this month.