Jennifer Arcuri says she had ‘very special relationship’ with Boris Johnson

Mr Johnson is accused of having an extra-martial affair with the tech entrepreneur during his time as London Mayor.

Jennifer Arcuri says she had ‘very special relationship’ with Boris Johnson
Jennifer Arcuri says she had ‘very special relationship’ with Boris Johnson

The American businesswoman embroiled in an investigation over her relationship with Boris Johnson has refused to answer whether they had an affair.

Jennifer Arcuri repeatedly dodged the question when she appeared on Good Morning Britain today but said ‘there was a very special relationship there’. She said the PM has left her heartbroken by refusing to take her calls after news of the relationship broke.

Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Ms Arcuri said: ‘For a long time it existed. I felt I could talk to him about anything. ‘For the last 10 years I’ve dealt directly with him.

‘The last time I called him he picked up and said ‘hello’ and then hung up. ‘I think the respectful thing to do would be to pick up the phone.’

 

 

During this period, Ms Arcuri received £11,500 in sponsorship from the Mayor’s promotional agency, London & Partners, and access to trade missions to Tel Aviv and New York, after intervention from the mayor’s office.

Ms Arcuri said she won the funds and access on merit. Mr Johnson has insisted there was no interest to declare and that he acted with ‘full propriety’.

 

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But the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating if there is enough evidence to mount a criminal investigation against Mr Johnson into allegations of misconduct in public office over the alleged favours to Ms Arcuri.

The IOPC is expected to delay an announcement on its decision until after the election. It said recently: ‘Our assessment of this matter is ongoing as we continue to collect information and seek legal advice.’

In an ITV Exposure programme shown last night, which alleges the pair had a four year affair, Ms Arcuri refused to comment on her relationship with the PM but said friends had urged her to ‘admit the affair’. She accused the prime minister of refusing to speak to her and treating her like ‘some fleeting one-night stand’.

 

 

This morning she said: ‘I can’t speak to what he’s doing now, I don’t understand it. ‘It doesn’t make sense to me. Why is he ignoring me? ‘I did move on, I got married and had a child and was trying to build my own business separate to Innotech and the events I did with him.

‘I didn’t expect to be dragged back in to this.’ When asked by the presenters what she wants to get out of speaking with Mr Johnson, she said: ‘I want him to acknowledge the destruction I have had to endure carrying the heat for three months as he carries out his quest for power.’

She added: ‘I am the collateral damage of his quest for greatness.’