Boris Johnson: Allegations are 'shot and shell' of Brexit, not a 'woman problem'

Questions over the Prime Minister's previous conduct have overshadowed the start of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

He is under investigation over whether US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri received improper favourable treatment while Mr Johnson was Mayor of London.

And in interviews with the BBC this morning, Mr Johnson insisted allegations he squeezed the thigh of a journalist at a private lunch are "not true" - adding that it is "very sad" someone should make such claims.

Charlotte Edwardes said that Mr Johnson squeezed her thigh at a private lunch at The Spectator magazine's HQ shortly after he became editor in 1999.

Asked about the reports, he told BBC Breakfast: "I've said pretty much what I have to say on all those things.

"This is a very difficult time and people are thinking for the country in the sense that Brexit is about to be done and a lot of people don't want Brexit to be done.

"And I think rightly or wrongly they conceive of me as the person who is helping to deliver Brexit and it is inevitable that I'm going to come under a certain amount of shot and shell.

"I don't mind that in the least."

Asked if he was taking the allegations seriously, he said: "I've said what I've said about that. They are not true.

"It's obviously very sad that someone should make such allegations - they are not true."

In a further interview with the BBC’s Today programme, Mr Johnson said he had “always been a big champion of women at the top of every organisation I’ve run” when asked if he had a “woman problem”.

And he maintained his defence of language like ‘betrayal’ and ‘surrender’ when referring to opponents of Brexit.

Mr Johnson also defended claim briefed to a Sunday newspaper that MPs seeking to prevent a no-deal Brexit were engaged in ‘collaboration’

Asked if he had “changed” since entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: “All those who wish to see the return of the old generous-hearted, loving, caring Mayor of London – that person has not gone away.”

He added: "I am a One Nation Tory, but we are in a position where the only way we can take this country forward and unite our country again is to get Brexit done.”