London Assembly makes way for police watchdog on Boris Johnson and Jennifer Arcuri inquiry
Two Greater London Authority inquiries into conflict of interest claims against Boris Johnson have been put on hold after fears it could prejudice a police watchdog investigation.
The London Assembly’s Oversight Committee has been investigating Johnson’s links to American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri while he was mayor.
Read more: Boris Johnson stays mum on Arcuri conflict of interest allegations
Arcuri, who was friends with Johnson during his second term as mayor, was awarded a £11,000 grant from mayoral organisation London & Partners in 2013.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also appointed London fire brigade general counsel Kathryn Robinson to lead a separate inquiry.
The Oversight Committee announced today it had been asked to put its inquiry on hold by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) while it undertakes its own preliminary assessment of the case.
Robinson will also significantly scale back her investigation.
An IOPC spokesperson said the other inquiries could prejudice its own investigation.
“We are currently acquiring material as part of our assessment to determine whether it is necessary for this matter to be criminally investigated.
“We have asked the committee to give precedence to our enquiries given we are assessing possible criminality.”
Oversight Committee chair Len Duvall AM said the assembly would comply with the IOPC’s request.
“The London Assembly respects the IOPC’s remit and will not in any way interfere with its important work,” he said.
“However, the assembly also has an important role and special powers.
“We will consider using those powers immediately following the conclusion of the IOPC’s work.”
Johnson’s lawyers sent a letter last week to the assembly claiming the Oversight Committee had no remit to investigate Johnson, according to HuffPostUK.
The letter also said that an investigation of this sort would become “highly politicised”.
Arcuri was reportedly close friends with Johnson, with some claiming he was having an affair with the American entrepreneur.
The 34-year-old was chosen to be a part of one of his trade mission to New York and Tel Aviv, despite not having the required qualifications.
Johnson also wrote a letter of recommendation for Arcuri in 2012 for a £100,00-a-year quango job she was not qualified for.
Her US-based company, Hacker House, was given a £100,000 grant this year from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, despite the money being earmarked for UK companies.
Read more: Boris Johnson has until Monday to give new response to London Assembly
An inquiry into how this happened is being undertaken by the department.
Johnson has strenuously denied any impropriety in his dealings with Arcuri on numerous occasions.