Boris Johnson dodges questions about ‘plate-smashing’ row with lover 5 TIMES as he faces awkward grilling at Tory showdown
BORIS Johnson today dodged questions about the “plate-smashing” row with his lover FIVE TIMES in an awkward grilling at the Tory leadership showdown.
He spoke publicly for the first time this afternoon after concerned neighbours called 999 over raised voices at his South London home – but brushed it off by saying: “I don’t think they want to hear that kind of thing”.
The spat between Johnson, 55, and girlfriend Carrie Symonds, 31, led to senior Tories voicing concerns Johnson had ruined his chances to get into No10 over the row.
But the leadership hopeful kept quiet, and continued on the campaign trail earlier today as he gave the thumbs up at a Bicester bakery and posed for selfies with fans.
Later, he again failed to address dramatic reports of cops rushing to his home yesterday, as he dodged questions from the host of the hustings.
While visibly squirming, Johnson protested: “I think what people have come here for today – the seductive interviewer though you are – I don’t think they want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I’m wrong.
“I think what they want to hear is my plans for this party and this country.”
The audience booed and shouted “move on” as journalist Iain Dale pressed Johnson on the matter, arguing it was necessary to get answers on the candidate’s private lives.
But as Johnson was chastised for “completely avoiding” the questions by Mr Dale, he said: “I salute your indefatigable ability, but I’m under the sad obligation of wanting to get my message across.
“People are entitled to ask about my determination and character. Let me tell you, when I make a promise in politics about what I’m gonna do, I keep that promise and I deliver.”
Mr Dale put it to him that he was not going to make any comment at all regarding what happened in the early hours of Friday, and Johnson said that was “pretty obvious”.
The Tory PM hopeful was later accused of being “bored” after he wanted to know how much time of questioning was left.
I think what people have come here today seductive interviewer though you are, I don’t think they want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I’m wrong.
Boris Johnson
The duo’s arguments on why they should be leader was kicked off by Johnson – who spoke of his intention to get Britain out of the EU by October 31, bring in more police, and tackle county lines drugs gangs.
The former Foreign Secretary, and Sky – broadcasting the event – faced an awkward moment when an audience member uttered the word “f***” in a question.
But he bounced back to nail his colours to the mast by declaring the “awesome foursome” of education, investment, infrastructure and the use of technology would “take Britain forward” and bring the country back together.
Johnson, who was pictured apparently wearing one of his socks inside out, also dubbed Jeremy Corbyn a “Hamas supporting anti-Semitic condoning apologist” as he issued a final rallying cry of “let’s keep Corbyn out”.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt later admitted he is the “underdog” after walking on stage to noticeably less applause than favourite Johnson got.
The 52-year-old thanked the internet for being kind to him “for the first time in my life” as he kicked off his campaign.
He vowed a radical cut in corporation tax, a reform of the education system and to “abolish illiteracy”.
Hunt also vowed not to provoke a general election until after we’ve left the EU, if he was successful in his bid to be PM.
‘BOTTLER’ BORIS
Earlier today Hunt called Johnson a “bottler” in an attitude-filled letter posted on Twitter – saying he’s timed his live debate appearances for after party members have cast their crucial votes.
This afternoon the pair made their case at the first of 16 hustings, as they try to convince Tory members they are the right man to fill Theresa May’s shoes.
Meanwhile, Carrie today appeared to make light of the row by liking a tweet made late last night that urged her to “please just carry on” due to a need for more entertainment in No10.
After news of the row broke, odds on Hunt becoming the next PM were slashed by half – coming in to 4-1 from 8-1. Boris remains odds-on favourite at 1-7, although his odds had drifted from 1-14 following the row reports.
A neighbour to their Camberwell home, who heard screaming, shouting and plate-smashing just after midnight yesterday, called 999 over fears for Carrie.
Johnson’s partner allegedly shouted “get off me” and “get out of my flat” during a bust-up at their home, it was claimed last night.
‘GET OFF MY F***ING LAPTOP’
One neighbour said they heard what appeared to be an angry confrontation and recorded it because they feared for Carrie’s safety.
In a recording of the row, Mr Johnson can allegedly be heard refusing to leave the flat and telling his girlfriend to “get off my f***ing laptop” before a loud crash is heard.
Carrie then reportedly told him he had ruined a sofa with red wine and added: “You just don’t care for anything because you’re spoilt. You have no care for money or anything.”
The neighbour said: “There was a smashing sound of what sounded like plates.
“There were a couple of very loud screams that I’m certain were Carrie and she was shouting to ‘get out’ a lot.
“She was saying ‘get out of my flat’ and he was saying no. And then there was silence after the screaming.”
After the row ended, the neighbour knocked on the door of the flat in a Victorian house to check up on Carrie, before calling 999.
MP Ben Wallace, a senior ally of Mr Johnson tweeted a message in support, before quickly deleting it.
He wrote: “What a non story ‘couple have row.’ Lefty neighbours give recording to Guardian.
“Newspaper reaches new low is a better news story.”
CHARACTER MATTERS
Today former attorney general Dominic Grieve said the issue of character is relevant in the Conservative leadership race as party members choose between Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt.
Mr Grieve told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the issue of any candidate’s character, standing for the leadership of a party, and aiming to be a Prime Minister is going to be relevant.
Nursery worker Fatima, 32, lives next door to the couple with her four-year-old son.
She said: “I heard a lot of noise, mostly screaming and shouting. It lasted about ten minutes.
“I was watching something on TV, I had to mute it. I’ve never heard anything like it before.”
Some neighbours haven’t taken kindly to Johnson moving in, with a few sticking posters up on fences near the flat stating: “We’d rather endure him as our neighbour than our Prime Minister.”
ROW ‘NOT SERIOUS’
Last night the couple tried to play down the incident — telling friends they did have a row but insisting it was not serious.
But stunned allies of the former Foreign Secretary were trying to get hold of the tape to assess the potential damage for themselves.
And there were unconfirmed reports Johnson may seek an injunction over it.
Scotland Yard said last night the pair were “safe and well” and no offences had been committed.
A spokesman said: “At 00.24hrs, police responded to a call from a resident in the SE5 area of Camberwell.
“The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour.
“Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address who were all safe and well.
“There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action.”
But the shocking revelations will throw into doubt Mr Johnson’s hopes of a smooth journey into Downing Street in the next month.
Last night allies of the former Foreign Secretary were left stunned by the revelation.
It appeared Boris had not even told any of his campaign team about the cops’ visit.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman refused to make any comment on the incident last night, or deny any of the facts about it — first reported by The Guardian.
But one senior MP close to Boris said last night: “What the hell is he thinking? This is our worst nightmare”.
When The Sun broke the news to another senior MP backer, he said: “Oh f***.” But others close to Mr Johnson attempted to shake it off.
Another senior figure on his team said: “It’s just an argument with his girlfriend isn’t it?
“I’m sure it can all be explained, and that’s what I imagine Carrie will be doing tomorrow.”
However, the shocking revelations will still throw into doubt Mr Johnson’s hopes of a smooth journey into Downing Street in the next month.
The incident will raise questions among Tory members – who will choose between Mr Johnson and Jeremy Hunt – over Boris’s complicated private life.
He is twice divorced and had a love child while Mayor of London.
After Friday morning’s incident, one senior MP close to Boris said: “What the hell is he thinking? This is our worst nightmare”.
THE BATTLE FOR NO10
Johnson’s challenger — his successor as Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt — refused to comment.
But a Hunt backer said: “If this is as bad as it first looks, this could be the shortest Tory leadership contest ever.”
The alleged domestic incident happened just hours after Foreign Office minister Mark Field grabbed a female environmental protester by the neck at a City dinner.
It will raise questions among Tory members — who will choose between Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt — over Boris’s complicated private life.
He is twice divorced and had a love child while Mayor of London.
Rumours first began circulating about his relationship with Carrie as he separated from his second wife Marina Wheeler last year.
Boris Johnson's very complicated love life
Love rat Boris Johnson has been married twice – and had a string of infamous affairs.
He wed first wife Allegra Mostyn-Owen in 1987 after meeting her at Oxford University.
But they were divorced six years later after he had an affair with lawyer Marina Wheeler.
He married Marina but was caught out over his affair with society writer Petronella Wyatt.
She was one of Mr Johnson’s columnists when he was editor of the Spectator.
He denied reports of the affair as nothing more than an “inverted pyramid of piffle”.
However, Petronella later revealed she had an abortion and suffered a miscarriage.
Pals claimed their romance overlapped with an affair with Times Educational Supplement journalist Anna Fazackerley.
Then, a year after he became Mayor of London in 2008, his love life blew up again when he fathered a child with arts consultant Helen Macintyre.
Rumours about his latest love Carrie Symonds first circulated when his separation with Marina was announced last year.
Mr Johnson has been the runaway leader in the race to succeed Theresa May as PM.
On Thursday night he won the latest vote in the battle for No10 with 160 backers — more than half of all 313 Tory MPs.
Mr Hunt bagged 77 votes — pipping Michael Gove who got 75 votes and was eliminated.
Tim Bale, Politics Professor at Queen Mary University of London, yesterday tweeted: “Who was it who first said ‘The only person who can stop Boris Johnson is… Boris Johnson?”
The former Foreign Secretary and Mayor of London is in a run-off with Hunt, with Tory party members set to vote over the next month.
A spokesman for Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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