Boris Johnson reported to police watchdog over links to US model-turned-businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri
- Arcuri reportedly took part in three foreign trade missions alongside Johnson despite not being eligible, prompting allegations of conflicts of interest
- Her companies also received grants from Johnson’s promotional agency when he was mayor of London
Embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been referred to a police watchdog over his links to a US businesswoman whose firms reportedly received grants when he was mayor of London, the body said on Friday.
The referral follows allegations in The Sunday Times of potential conflicts of interest over his dealings with Jennifer Arcuri, described as a former model turned tech entrepreneur, who reportedly took part in three foreign trade missions alongside Johnson in a year despite not being eligible for inclusion.
In addition, Arcuri’s companies received two sponsorship grants from the mayor’s promotional agency while he was mayor and a third grant earlier this year worth £100,000 (US$123,000) from a former ministerial colleague of Johnson in the government’s Department for Digital, Culture and Sport, the Times reported last week.
“The IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) can confirm we have received a referral from the Monitoring Officer of the Greater London Authority (GLA) regarding a conduct matter against Boris Johnson and we are currently assessing this,” the office said in a statement.
“This will take time to thoroughly assess and consider before any decision is taken as to whether it is necessary to investigate this matter.”