Boris Johnson has ‘no case to answer’ over Jennifer Arcuri allegations, says Press Secretary

The Prime Minister has “no case to answer” over Jennifer Arcuri’s latest allegations, his Press Secretary insisted today.

Allegra Stratton said Boris Johnson believed he followed “all the legal requirements” when he was Mayor of London.

It comes after Ms Arcuri made a series of allegations in the Sunday Mirror, claiming that she and Mr Johnson has an “intimate relationship” for four years, between 2012 and 2016, when he was mayor.

Asked if Mr Johnson had abided by the Nolan Principles – the basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders – during his time as mayor, Ms Stratton said: “Yes. The then Mayor, now the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson does believe that he followed all the legal requirements.

“And indeed the Independent Office for Police Conduct when they looked into this matter just last year found that to be the case.”

Asked if he would cooperate with the London Assembly investigation, she replied: “This has already been looked at and the Prime Minister will engage.

“But this has already been looked at in detail by no less than an authority of the Independent Office for Police Conduct and it found that these claims were untrue and unfounded.

“This has been looked at in depth and there was found to be no case to answer.”

Last year the IOPC decided not to launch a criminal investigation into allegations that Mr Johnson misused his position as mayor to benefit the American businesswoman.

However, it said he “would have been wise” to have reported his relationship with Ms Arcuri as a conflict of interest and referred the matter back to the GLA’s oversight committee.

Today City Hall sources told the Standard that the oversight committee probe was expected to resume after the May 6 elections, with the bulk of its work after the summer holidays.

The Sunday Mirror article is said to have opened up potential new lines of inquiry, amid suspicions that more details may be forthcoming from Ms Arcuri.

One source close to the inquiry said: “We will look at conduct in public life to see if lessons can be learned.”