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A top Tory has insisted she is "comfortable" over Boris Johnson's alleged "conflict of interest" with an American business woman despite admitting she knows nothing about the details.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom would not say whether there should be an investigation when asked about the PM's reported relationship with model-turned-tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri.

Boris Johnson refused six times to answer questions over claims he failed to declare potential conflicts of interest over his close friendship Ms Arcuri.

The Prime Minister was given the opportunity to deny the claims, and to deny a relationship with American model-turned-tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri.

But he refused to answer questions from journalists on the subject during his flight to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

The PM also refused to say whether he would support a full inquiry into the claims, despite a allegation of misuse of public funds.

Asked if "should the accusations of a conflict of interest be investigated," Business Secretary Ms Leadsom replied: "The Prime Minister has said he's acted with propriety at all times and I'm happy with that."

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If there needs to be an investigation then I'm sure that there will be, but I'm comfortable with the Prime Minister's assurances."

She went on: "I think I am totally committed to openness and transparency and treating people fairly and I think that also extends to the Prime Minister.

"He has said he has acted with propriety, if there is an investigation then that will be a matter for the investigators, all I'm saying is I'm not aware of the details."

London’s City Hall and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are both examining allegations made in the Sunday Times.

According to the report, Ms Arcuri gained access to three trade missions Mr Johnson led in 2014 and 2015, while Mayor of London.

The paper says Ms Arcuri was also, separately, given £126,000 in public funds in the form of three separate deals.

One of these, according to the paper, was from the organisation London & Partners for which Johnson was responsible as London Mayor - handing her firm £10,000 sponsorship money for an event in 2013.

In a statement to the Sunday Times, Ms Arcuri did not address her friendship with Mr Johnson.

She said: “Any grants received by my companies and any trade mission I joined were purely in respect of my role as a legitimate businesswoman.”