Boris Johnson stays mum on Arcuri conflict of interest allegations
The London Assembly said last night it would not publish the latest letter sent on behalf of Boris Johnson regarding potential conflicts of interest while he was mayor of London.
The prime minister was forced to send a letter to the assembly’s oversight committee last week to clarify his relationship with businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri – who received £126,000 of taxpayer funding – while he was mayor.
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However, the response he gave was branded “unacceptable” by the assembly and was marked as “not for publication” by Johnson’s representatives.
Johnson was asked to provide reasons for why the document could not be publicly released by 5pm yesterday.
A response was received in time, however that was also marked as “not for publication”.
The original letter, written by Johnson’s lawyers, said it was not within the oversight committee’s remit to investigate him, according to HuffPostUK.
It also said that an investigation of this sort would become “highly politicised”.
The London Assembly told City PM that they did not leak the original letter, despite claims to the contrary by Number 10.
Arcuri was reportedly close friends with Johnson during his second term as mayor, with some claiming he was having an affair with the American entrepreneur.
Arcuri was chosen to be a part of a trade mission to New York and Tel Aviv, despite not having the required qualifications.
Read more: Jennifer Arcuri blames ‘media attack’ for scrutiny over Boris Johnson relationship
It was revealed recently that Johnson wrote a letter of recommendation for the 34-year-old in 2012 for a £100,00-a-year quango job she was not qualified for.
The prime minister was contacted for comment.