Boris Johnson & Carrie hit by fresh Partygate claims for 'letting pal stay over'

07 June 2023 , 23:59

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Boris Johnson with his wife Carrie Johnson (Image: Downing Street via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson and wife Carrie were on Wednesday night embroiled in fresh Partygate allegations following claims they allowed a friend to stay over during Covid restrictions.

The couple were reported to have hosted Carrie's pal Dixie Maloney - who is understood to have been helping plan their wedding - at Chequers in May 2021.

At the time overnight stays were banned unless they were "reasonably necessary".

Mr Johnson, who became the first Prime Minister found to have committed a crime while in office over Downing Street gatherings, denied any wrongdoing.

A spokeswoman for Dixie Malone said: “Ms Maloney took her obligations under the relevant Covid restrictions very seriously.

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"She would not have done anything at the relevant time unless she honestly believed that it was lawful to do so. Ms Maloney has never been formally engaged to work for either Boris or Carrie Johnson, nor has she ever held any public role, whether in government or otherwise.”

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “This was entirely lawful, and it was covered by relevant provisions in the Covid regulations. To suggest otherwise is totally untrue.”

The couple were reported to have hosted Carrie's pal Dixie Maloney (PA)

Ms Maloney's overnight stay happened three weeks before the couple's wedding, when there was an outdoor reception in the Downing Street garden.

Thames Valley Police and the Met are currently examining 12 alleged gatherings at No10 and Chequers which came to light as civil servants ploughed through evidence for the Covid Inquiry.

The former Prime Minister is anxiously awaiting the findings of the Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether he misled Parliament.

Taxpayers are set to fork out £245,000 for his legal support, and last night there were fresh calls for him to cough up the cash himself.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “The public are sick of subsidising an ex-Prime Minister, especially one who once again appears to have shown complete disregard for the rules they had to follow.

"We’re all left wondering what more it will take for Rishi Sunak to finally scrap Johnson's taxpayer-funded legal bill."

Dave Burke