TV

Lorraine Kelly, in the role of Lorraine Kelly, savages Jennifer Arcuri for refusing to answer questions on Boris Johnson ‘affair’

Jennifer Arcuri and Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly said that Jennifer Arcuri’s appearance on Good Morning Britain had been pointless. (ITV)

Lorraine Kelly blasted Jennifer Accuri, the American businesswoman whose relationship with Boris Johnson is the subject of multiple investigations, for failing to answer questions on whether she had conducted an affair with the prime minister.

Arcuri admitted that she had a “special relationship” with Johnson on Monday’s Good Morning Britain, but declined to say whether “it was an affair” when asked by host Piers Morgan.

“I’m not going to answer that question,” she said. “But as you can tell there was a very special relationship there and when it did come out, half the people already assumed the affair and told me to admit.”

At the end of the interview, Kelly appeared on screen to present a link for her own show, which follows Good Morning Britain.

“That was crazy wasn’t it,” she said. “What’s the point of coming on and not answering any questions? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“I’m sorry,” Arcuri replied, to which Kelly repeated her point: “What is the point of you coming on the TV to clear the air and then you don’t say anything? You didn’t answer any of the questions that were put to you and I just don’t see the point of you coming on to be honest.”

Within minutes “Lorraine” was one of the top Twitter trends in the UK, with many users making the same joke.

In 2019, Kelly won a £1.2m tax battle by arguing that she is a “theatrical artist” who performs “a persona of herself” while on TV.

A judge ruled that when on her ITV breakfast show, Kelly “is an entertaining lady – but the point is that for the time Ms Kelly is contracted to perform live on air she is public ‘Lorraine Kelly’”.

Jennifer Arcuri said Boris Johnson treated her ‘like some one-night stand’.

Arcuri appeared on GMB the morning after a frank interview with ITV’s Exposure which aired on Sunday, November 17.

The businesswoman said that Johnson “cast her aside like some gremlin” after allegations were made that she was given favourable treatment – including £126,000 in public funds and privileged access to three foreign trade trips – when Johnson was the mayor of London.

“I’ve been nothing but loyal, faithful, supportive, and a true confidante of yours,” she said, claiming that the prime minister has avoided her attempts at contacting him since the scandal broke.

“I’ve kept your secrets, and I’ve been your friend. And I don’t understand why you’ve blocked me and ignored me as if I was some fleeting one night stand or some girl that you picked up at a bar because I wasn’t – and you know that.”

The claims against Johnson, first made in the Sunday Times in September, became the focus of an investigation by the Greater London Authority, which oversees the conduct of the mayor. He has denied any impropriety.

The probe was paused when Johnson was referred to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct. As mayor, Johnson was head of the mayor’s officer for policing a crime.

The IOPC spared outrage when reports emerged it had delayed a decision on investigating “possible criminality” until after the December 12 general election, citing purdah – the pre-election period during which there are restrictions on policy announcements and use of public resources.

Jon Trickett, shadow cabinet office minister, called the move “a suppression of information which the public is entitled to have”.

“Given the fact we’re in a general election there should be maximum transparency,” he added. “This decision must be reversed immediately.”

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