Boris Johnson remains under pressure to answer questions about police being called to his partner’s home, with a Conservative grandee accusing him of a “lack of judgment” over his refusal to comment on the incident.
The leadership favourite declined to explain to Tory grassroots what went on at the south London flat in the early hours of Friday morning, saying the party faithful did not want “to hear about that kind of thing”.
Mr Johnson’s campaign for Number 10 was rocked by the revelations that officers were called to the home he shares with partner Carrie Symonds by a neighbour who claimed to have been “frightened and concerned” after hearing shouting, “a loud scream” and banging coming from the property.
A poll carried out after the reports emerged suggested Mr Johnson’s support among Tory voters had dropped by more than half, while among the general electorate it indicated he had slipped into second place behind rival Jeremy Hunt.
Hunt ramped up his challenge to Mr Johnson on Saturday, saying in an open letter that their “character” was being tested in the final stage of the leadership race and “scrutiny can be uncomfortable”.
When asked at the hustings about the incident, Mr Johnson said people “are entitled to ask about me and my determination, my character and what I want to do for the country”.
But he would not elaborate on the police visit, preferring to talk about his time as mayor of London instead.
Moderator Iain Dale drew heckles from some in the crowd when he asked Mr Johnson whether a person’s private life had any bearing on someone’s ability to discharge the office of Prime Minister.
“Don’t boo the great man,” Mr Johnson said, but Mr Dale suggested he was “completely avoiding” the question.
Discover more from London Glossy Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
