Greater London Authority writes to PM to demand answers over Arcuri relationship
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to demand an explanation for the decision to award public funds to a friend while he was mayor of London.
The Sunday Times said US tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri – a friend of Johnson – had received thousands of pounds in sponsorship grants and had received preferential treatment to join trade missions he led while he was mayor.
GLA oversight committee chair Len Duvall wrote to Johnson yesterday expressing “concern” about the allegations he had “failed to declare a potential conflict of interest in relation to the awarding of public funds to Jennifer Arcuri”.
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Duvall asked for details and a timeline of all Johnson’s contact with Arcuri during his period as mayor, including “personal, social and professional” contact.
He also asked for “an explanation of how that alleged personal relationship was disclosed and taken into account in any and all dealings with the GLA and other parts of the GLA family”.
The Sunday Times reported that Arcuri received £126,000 in public funds and access to three trade missions led by Johnson.
Yesterday, Johnson denied any impropriety during his period as mayor.
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“All I can say is I am very proud of what we did as mayor of London… particularly banging the drum for our city and country around the world,” Johnson told the BBC.
He added: “I can tell you that absolutely everything was done entirely in the proper way.”
On Sunday night, on a flight to New York, Johnson avoided six questions from reporters about his relationship with Arcuri.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC it was “perfectly normal” for entrepreneurs to join overseas trade missions.
“British companies and entrepreneurs go on trade missions. It’s quite right and proper and I’m sure that’s exactly what’s happened there,” he said.