Boris Johnson has submitted a response to the London Assembly after it demanded more information about his relationship with an ex-American model turned technology entrepreneur.
The assembly’s oversight committee launched an investigation into Mr Johnson’s links with Jennifer Arcuri when he was London mayor from 2008 – 16 amid conflict of interest allegations.
It gave the now-prime minister two weeks to provide more details about their relationship, including “social, personal and professional during his period of office as mayor of London” – a deadline the assembly said passed at 6pm.
The committee was also seeking “an explanation of how that alleged personal relationship was disclosed and taken into account in any and all dealings with the Greater London Authority [GLA] and other parts of the GLA family”.
The assembly has now confirmed that it has received documents from Number 10.
A Tory source said the response was submitted “just before 7pm”.
They said the deadline was missed because “it was an invented City Hall deadline that they have never said to us “, and criticized the London Assembly for” grandstanding “and oversight committee chair Len Duvall for” playing politics “.
Ms Arcuri has insisted she “never, ever” received any favorite from Mr Johnson when he was London mayor, but refused to say whether they had an affair.
She has said it is “really categorically no-one’s business what private life we had, or didn’t have”.
Multiple inquiries have been launched after it emerged Ms Arcuri was given more than £ 100, 000 in public money and privileged access to overseas trade missions led by Mr Johnson during his time as London mayor.
Ms Arcuri has said any grants received by her companies and any trade missions she joined were “purely in respect of my role as a legitimate businesswoman “.
The prime minister was referred to the police complaints body last month to assess whether he should face a criminal investigation over his association with her.
Mr Johnson has previously told Sky News that “everything was done with complete propriety” when asked about the allegations.
Speaking before the Downing Street response, Mr Duvall said: “Missing the deadline of a polite request to fully cooperate is unhelpful and this already serious situation has now become grave.
“The allegations of potential misuse of taxpayers’ money are no laughing matter.
“We will be taking this further.”
He added that a “range of options” were available to the committee, which will be meeting next week to decide its next steps.
“You can be assured that the London Assembly will investigate this matter with absolute commitment,” Mr Duvall said.
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