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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Mikey Smith

Boris Johnson accused of being open to blackmail over Russian's 'bunga bunga' parties

Boris Johnson has been accused of leaving himself open to blackmail by attending 'bunga bunga' parties hosted by a 'Russian oligarch.'

And Labour MP Matt Western claimed British intelligence services "may not entirely trust" the Prime Minister, and asked him why he thought that was.

Mr Western was referring to claims from former Tory minister Rory Stewart, who revealed he was invited to Evgeny Lebedev's Italian mansion for a party where "there were going to be girls" and Mr Johnson.

The former Conservative, who was a minister at the time, said he was approached at the Tory Party's conference in 2018 when he was "Boris Johnson's deputy" in the Foreign Office.

The Prime Minister, who was Foreign Secretary in 2018, is under pressure over his links to media mogul Evgeny Lebedev.

(PA)

It follows reports claiming MI5 and MI6 raised concerns before the PM elevated Baron Lebedev -the son of ex-KGB officer and Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev – to the House of Lords in 2020.

Quizzing Mr Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Western said: "A Fantasy castle, perhaps Snow White too, certainly girls girls girls were promised at a party. Less burlesque, more Berlusconi.

"According to a former minister it seems like the Prime Minister has been entertained at these 'bunga bunga' parties hosted by his close friend, a Russian oligarch."

He went on: "Given his many weaknesses could leave him open to blackmail, why does the PM think that MI6 may not entirely trust him?"

Mr Johnson did not address the allegations.

He said: "I'm afraid last week I wasn't here to benefit from one of his elaborately confected questions.

"I admire his style, Mr Speaker, I'm afraid I simply fail to detect any crouton of substance in the ministrone of nonsense he's just spoken."

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