Downing Street insists claims Boris Johnson groped two women are 'untrue'
3 min read
Downing Street has insisted allegations that Boris Johnson groped two women at the same time are "untrue".
Journalist Charlotte Edwardes wrote in the Sunday Times that when she and Mr Johnson worked at the Spectator magazine he squeezed her thigh, and that of another woman, at a lunch.
She said: “I’m seated on Johnson’s right; on his left is a young woman I know.
"More wine is poured; more wine is drunk. Under the table I feel Johnson’s hand on my thigh. He gives it a squeeze. His hand is high up my leg and he has enough inner flesh beneath his fingers to make me sit suddenly upright."
She added: "Afterwards, I confide in the young woman on his other side. She replies: 'Oh God, he did exactly the same to me.' We speculate: were the squeezes simultaneous? For balance? Was he hedging?
"'And did you notice how he kept referring to his ‘current’ wife?' she says. I did. We grimace. My memory is that he had a 'reputation'. Still, the 'double squeeze' — quite a signature move."
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "This allegation is untrue."
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock - who told Channel Four he knew Ms Edwardes and found her to be "trustworthy" - was criticised for claiming the alleged incident was "a private matter".
Asked about the claims at a fringe event at the Conservative conference, Mr Hancock said: "Firstly we are concentrating on the things people really want us to deliver on.
"Of course there are always lots of other stories in the papers but we are concentrating on the things that are our real priorities.
"The other thing I say is, Boris has never lectured other people about their private lives and I think we should focus on delivering on what we are in politics for, which in my view is to serve the citizens of this country."
Dawn Butler, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, said: "When women speak out, those in power should have the decency to listen and take action.
"Dismissing sexual harassment allegations as a private matter has been used to silence women for centuries.
“The Health Secretary should apologise for his disgraceful remarks. The Prime Minister must be held to account for these accusations.”
Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "It's always a private matter when it's the PM, I'm guessing they won't be pushing forward with legislation on sexual harassment that Penny Mordant had started the consultation on, so he isn't embarrassed progress will slow.
"It's so tiring and predictable.”
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson also criticised Mr Hancock, tweeting: “A boss putting his hand on a junior colleague's inner thigh isn’t a ‘private matter’.
“It’s sexual harassment and an abuse of power. Appalling to suggest otherwise.”
But former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, said: “He is not the individual that he is quite often painted as being.
"He occasionally has the style of Frank Spencer in a china shop.
“But he's a decent person. I think he cares a great deal about women and girls.”
And fellow Conservative MP Rachel Maclean said she judged Mr Johnson to be "a feminist” given his record on tackling female genital mutilation.
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