Boris Johnson humiliated me, says US businesswoman

The interview comes as the flamboyant leader campaigns for re-election. Photo: AP

The woman alleged to have received inappropriate favouritism while having an affair with Boris Johnson says she had been left heartbroken and humiliated by the British prime minister.



Jennifer Arcuri, who is accused of getting privileged access to foreign trade jaunts and grants when Johnson was London mayor, told Britain's ITV he was treating her like "some fleeting one-night stand".



The technology entrepreneur said Johnson, now campaigning for re-election, had rebuffed her requests for advice after the scandal erupted in September and "hung up" on her. She said that on one occasion the phone was passed to somebody who began speaking Chinese down the line.



"I'm terribly heartbroken by the way that you have cast me aside like I am some gremlin," Arcuri said, addressing Johnson directly. "I've kept your secrets, and I've been your friend," she said, adding she felt "disgusted and humiliated".



"I don't understand why you've blocked me and ignored me as if I was some fleeting one-night stand or some girl that you picked up at a bar because I wasn't and you know that.



The show alleges the pair had an affair for more than four years, though Arcuri refused to confirm this.



The 34-year-old, who is now based in the United States but was photographed in London on Friday, admitted to ITV she had received mixed advice on what to say publicly about their relationship.



"When the story broke half the people that reached out told me to categorically deny, deny, deny," she said. "The other half told me to, admit the, er, affair, fall on the sword get it over with."



Johnson, 55, was married at the time of the alleged affair but has since left his wife following a romance with former Conservative party spin doctor Carrie Symonds, 31. The pair now live together in Downing Street.



He has previously said he did not have the kind of relationship with Arcuri that required him to notify watchdogs of a potential conflict of interest, as required.



Arcuri was reportedly given £126,000 (HK$1.2 million) in public money and privileged access to three foreign trade missions led by Johnson when he was mayor.



He has insisted everything was "done with complete propriety" but has been referred to a police complaints body to assess whether he should face a criminal investigation.



A review by Johnson's own government ruled a £100,000 grant Arcuri was given by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through a cyber-skills fund was "appropriate". (AFP)