City Hall probe into Boris Johnson's relationship with Jennifer Arcuri paused to allow for separate investigation

Jennifer Arcuri with Boris Johnson at the Innotech conference in 2013
Katy Clifton16 October 2019

The London Assembly has paused its investigation into Boris Johnson's relationship with Jennifer Arcuri to allow a separate probe to proceed first.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) asked the Assembly to pause it's investigation into allegations surrounding the Prime Minister's friendship with the US businesswoman when he was London mayor.

In a statement, London Assembly Oversight Committee chairman Len Duvall AM said: “The London Assembly respects the IOPC’s remit and will not in any way interfere with its important work.

"However, the Assembly also has an important role and special powers. We will consider using those powers immediately following the conclusion of the IOPC’s work.

“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.”

Boris Johnson in Downing Street on Tuesday
Stefan Rousseau/PA

Tech entrepreneur Ms Arcuri is at the centre of allegations that the Prime Minister showed her favouritism by giving her £126,000 in public funding and privileged access to three foreign trade missions while he was mayor of London.

Mr Johnson has previously accused his "old friends" in the Assembly of "barking up the wrong tree" with their investigation.

Ms Arcuri, a former model, used an interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain to deny reports that she received favouritism during his eight-year stint as mayor.

Boris Johnson's friendship with Jennifer Arcuri has come under scrutiny

The businesswoman, who said she met Mr Johnson for the first time in October 2011, has refused to comment on whether they had a romantic relationship as well as a professional rapport.

She said: "I think it's quite unfortunate that it becomes that a good friend, who has now been, you know, now I'm dragged into the middle of this horrific scandal, you know, and the answer that I'm going to give is now going to be weaponised against this man.

"It's really categorically no-one's business what private life we had, or didn't have. But - and categorically more important - Boris never, ever gave me favouritism.

"Never once did I ask him for a favour. Never once did he write a letter of recommendation for me. He didn't know about my asking to go to trips."

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