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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Nicola Bartlett & Oliver Milne

Boris Johnson set to respond to Jennifer Arcuri probe tonight after missing deadline

Boris Johnson has missed the deadline set by the London Assembly to hand over documents about his relationship with businesswoman Jennifer Acuri.

Number 10 has not handed over the requested documents by the 6pm deadline, but is expected to send something later this evening - but it is not expected to comply with the request.

Regardless Mr Johnson faces being summoned before a key committee after he missed the deadline to hand over his communications with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri to the London Assembly. 

The oversight committee will now consider whether to legally summon the Prime Minister to appear before them with a decision expected to be made next week. 

Under their powers the PM could then be fined and even face prison if he fails to show. 

At the same time the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Mr Johnson’s conduct.

Len Duvall, chair of the London Assembly’s scrutiny committee, said: “We will be fully exploring every avenue that we have at our disposal to make sure we get to the bottom of these allegations.

“That means the possibility of summoning not just the Prime Minister, but maybe others too, who may have information that might be helpful to get to the bottom of these matters.

Mr Duvall will also be writing to the IOPC to establish the jurisdiction of the Assembly’s investigation - and to reassure them he will pass on any evidence of criminal activity. 

They plan a “forensic and evidence-led” investigation into whether the former Mayor breached the GLA’s code of conduct, looking at the trade missions, public funds, his visits to Ms Arcuri’s premises and establishing they were more than just colleagues.

The PM denies wrongdoing and the American tech entrepreneur and former model, whose firms have received more than £100,000 in public money, insisted yesterday that there was no ‘favouritism’ towards her. 

The London Assembly does not have the power to summon Jennifer Arcuri. 

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