Boris Johnson tried to secure a job for a young woman who has claimed she abused his position to have sex with him. The incident is believed to have taken place when Johnson was Mayor of London and Conservative MP for Henley in 2008.
He tried to help her get a job at City Hall a few weeks after they met, but Kit Malthouse, then the deputy mayor of London, said they appeared to have an inappropriately close relationship, the report said.
Johnson is believed to have helped several women throughout his career in exchange for sex with them, including his wife Carrie Johnson who became chief of staff at the State Department during their relationship in 2018, and Jennifer Arcuri's travels, taxpayer-funded in 2011, an affair Johnson has not publicly acknowledged.
The woman, who joined several other women who publicly accused Johnson of having sex, said she was sorry for what had happened, telling Johnson that what had happened between them had left her 'really shocked and upset' '.
At the time, Johnson was 43, married with four children, and the wife was in her 20s. She volunteered for the Conservative Party after moving to London, the Mail online reports.
The woman recorded their conversation on November 7, 2017, and said that young women entering the building were considered 'fair game' and had to 'submit' to the men in power. The woman, who is now a married mother of two who works as a legal professional, shared the recording with.
In it, Johnson reportedly acknowledged his involvement, proposing the woman for the post, adding that he was 'very disappointed' when she didn't get it.
He said: “I suggested you for the job and I really wanted Kit to interview you and I remember Kit interviewing you.
"I asked him about it afterwards, repeatedly, why he didn't give you the job and I was very disappointed that he didn't. I remember. And I'm afraid one of the reasons he gave was that he thought you were too friendly with me," he said.
Johnson also insisted that he did not act abnormally in recommending her for the role, adding: "You can't just put friends in jobs. You can't. Not at City Hall.'
The woman was not qualified for the role and did not secure the job. Later that year, Johnson texted her, saying he needed her as his speechwriter. However, it is not clear whether these talks have progressed./ The Sunday Times