Boris Johnson was accused of a “complete disregard for basic national security” today after he admitted meeting a former Russian spy without officials or his security team while Foreign Secretary.
The Prime Minister made the shock confession that he visited Alexander Lebedev, who was an officer in the First Chief Directorate of the Soviet Union′s KGB, at his son Evgeny’s luxury Italian holiday home three years ago during an appearance at the Commons Liaison Committee on Wednesday.
But it was overshadowed by the flood of ministers quitting his government - eventually toppling the PM.
Labour today forced a Foreign Office Minister to Parliament for a grilling over Mr Johnson’s admission - where it emerged he may not have told officials about the meeting.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper fumed: "The charges against the Prime Minister are not just about lack of integrity, they are about complete disregard for basic national security and the patriotic interests of this country - and those charges lie not just with the Prime Minister, but with all of those who have enabled him and covered up for him on this issue."
The PM’s meeting with Mr Lebedev took place on April 28, 2018 when Mr Johnson was the UK’s top envoy and charged with representing Britain abroad.
He was also responsible for the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and the Government's eavesdropping agency, GCHQ.
As Foreign Secretary he had round-the-clock armed bodyguards as part of his close protection team.
But Mr Johnson jetted to Alexander Lebedev’s son Evgeny’s converted castle near Perugia without his security officers or any officials.
He later handed Evgeny, who owns London’s Evening Standard newspaper, a Tory peerage.
Mr Johnson told MPs he thought he “mentioned” the meeting to officials after it took place.
But today a Foreign Office Minister plunged the defence into confusion.
Answering an urgent question in the Commons, Vicky Ford initially claimed Mr Johnson reported it to officials "as required".
However, 10 minutes later, she had to correct herself, claiming the PM "says that he thinks he mentioned this meeting to officials".
