Britain’s PM Boris Johnson hits back after accusations of squeezing journalist’s thigh

Britain’s PM Boris Johnson has hit back after he was accused of squeezing the “inner flesh” of a journalist’s thigh at a boozy lunch 20 years ago.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hit back at claims he squeezed two women’s thighs at a boozy media lunch twenty years ago as he faces an inquiry into his conduct while mayor of London.

Columnist Charlotte Edwardes wrote in The Sunday Times that Mr Johnson had grabbed her leg under the table in 1999 at a lunch at The Spectator when he was the editor and she was a young reporter.

“I’m seated on Johnson’s right, on his left is a young woman I know. More wine is poured; more wine is drunk. Under the table I feel Mr Johnson’s hand on my thigh. He gives it a squeeze. His hand is high up my leg and he has enough inner flesh beneath his fingers to make me sit suddenly upright,” she wrote.

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On Monday, Downing Street hit back at the claims as “untrue” and Mr Johnson said he did not touch her thigh. When asked if Ms Edwardes, who is now a high-profile reporter and columnist, made up the claims he said: “I’m just saying what I said, and I think what the public want to hear is what we are doing for them and the country and for investment in ways of uniting the country.”

Ms Edwardes tweeted: “If the prime minister doesn’t recollect the incident then clearly I have a better memory than he does.” The second woman she refers to remains unnamed.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied a journalist's claim he grabbed her thigh at a lunch two decades ago. Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein.

The revelations came on the eve of the Conservative Party conference in the UK which Mr Johnson was attending with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, who he has moved into Downing Street with following a divorce from his second-wife, Marina Wheeler.

It’s not the first time Mr Johnson has refused to comment on his conduct. In June, police were called to Ms Symond’s flat after neighbours reporting hearing loud bags and a woman yelling at “get off me” and “get out of my flat”. Police left without incident and Mr Johnson has refused to elaborate on what transpired.

Meanwhile, the prime minister has been referred to the police watchdog over his actions while serving as London mayor.

The referral follows allegations, also reported by The Sunday Times, that Mr Johnson failed to disclose personal links to tech entrepreneur, Jennifer Arcuri, 34, who received thousands of pounds in public business funding and places on official trade trips.

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Arcuri is a former DJ and actor who became a tech entrepreneur and travelled on high-profile delegations overseas with the mayor. She described Boris Johnson as her “best friend” and told friends she was sleeping with him, according to British media reports.

Mr Johnson has denied any wrongdoing and said he acted with “full propriety”. His allies have claimed the referral is “politically motivated”.

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

Jennifer Arcuri joining Boris Johnson on his mayoral campaign in 2012. Her firm received cash from an agency for which he was responsible.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it is currently assessing the referral.

“This will take time to thoroughly assess and consider before any decision is taken as to whether it is necessary to investigate this matter,” it said.

Asked about the referral, Johnson’s spokesman said: “The prime minister as mayor of London did a huge amount of work when selling our capital city around the world, beating the drum for London and the UK.”

Mr Johnson has set the UK on a collision course with the European Union that appears to be heading for a no deal Brexit. However this has been complicated by the fact parliament has voted in favour of asking the EU for an extension meaning Mr Johnson is legally compelled to do so.

Mr Johnson will meet with EU leaders on October 17-18 for a final summit that could be the last hope of securing concessions that could avoid a no deal.

- With wires